My dear Henry
I enclose <1> a Letter from my Aunt Frampton <2> of which the object will explain itself – I believe you already know that for many years she has been collecting all the Dorset Plants, & drawing them most accurately in Indian Ink – Uncle William – Sir C. Lemon <3> &c I know think her work very valuable – If you agree to her wish of allowing her to send a part thereof for your inspection & opinion (which would gratify her much) perhaps you would be so good as to write direct to her at Dorchester which would save time and trouble. As you also have had some Experience of Publishers you would be able to judge whether she is likely to get the sum she ought, & whether there are Enough Botanists in the world to make the speculation answer. I am very busy collecting all the Prints, Drawings &ues that I can meet with, to illustrate the Histy of Derbyshire & having a vague idea of making a Tour of the County next Summer I propose to take Photographs of all the Churches &c in my route – In furtherance of this design I want you to tell me where is the best place to get a Camera obsura & what is the sort of price they bear? Because tho we may meet in London we shall probably not have time for such grave discourse, so I prefer to ask the question by letter. I think Constance <4> said something about your intention of going to Town shortly in her last Letter but as I forget the particulars I shall direct to Lacock as you may be gone & returned by this time.
How is Horatia <5> – is her Influenza departed? –. I conclude Lord Mt Edgcumbe <6> is better as I see Caroline <7> is in waiting now.
Yr Affte Cousin
H Grg Mundy
Markeaton <8>
March 31.–
Notes:
1. Enclosure not located.
2. Mary Frampton (1773-1846), botanist and author.
3. William Thomas Horner Fox Strangways, 4th Earl of Ilchester (1795–1865), botanist, art collector & diplomat, and Sir Charles Lemon (1784–1868), politician & scientist; WHFT’s uncle.
4. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
5. Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810–1851), WHFT’s half-sister.
6. Ernest Augustus Edgcumbe, Lord Valletort, 3rd Earl of Mt Edgcumbe (1797–1861), WHFT’s brother-in-law.
7. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.
8. Markeaton Hall, Derbyshire, NW of Derby: home of the Mundy family.