Markeaton
S. Patricks Day!
[in another hand?] 17th March
My dear Henry
I believe you are still at Lacock – and indeed much hope this is the case, as it would be very rash – let alone very disagreable [sic] – to be travelling in such bitterly cold weather. Noel & Emily<1> find it ungenial even on the Corniche. They are now, we suppose, at Genoa. I shall be glad when Constance et Cnie<2> have left Venice for Florence &c – I am afraid that Ela & Rosamond<3> will forget how to walk! – Charles<4> wrote me a very pleasant architectural letter not long ago – proposing however soon to quit his Family & proceed to Munich. –
My object especially in writing today is to ask whether you possess amongst your various Horticultural Trees – or shrubs? – a Medlar? We want to get some Cuttings both of Medlars and Quince to graft into some very healthy young Pear stocks wch we happen to have, but nobody in this neighbourhood has either one or the other, so we do not exactly know how to proceed. Your splendid Quinces made me think of Lacock – and at any rate no harm is done by asking as I know you wd bestow some Cuttings if you have a Medlar – No time should now be lost the Gardener says – so if you send any please to do so as soon as possible & by Passenger Train. It is excessively cold here – a Derbyshe winter is very trying & I have been shut up for some weeks. – Mr Mundy<5> desires kind remembrances. We are redolent of Narcissus, Jonquils &c and Van Tholl Tulips from your friend [Roezen?]. Noel & E. visited his garden at near Haarlem this time last year, when the Fields of Hyacinths were in full bloom. They enjoyed & admired it all extremely.
Yr affte Cousin
H. Ga Mundy
Dear Mary Talbot<6> used to say that grafts shd be stuck into a Potatoe [sic] or Turnip before being sent in a parcel – No doubt however you & yr Gardener know all about this. Remember me to Ed Nicholl<7> please.
[envelope:]
[blindstamp on rear flap:] Markeaton Hall, Derby
H. F. Talbot Esqre
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wilts
Notes:
1. Francis Noel Mundy (1833-1903), WHFT's nephew, and his wife, Emily Maria Georgiana, née Cavendish (1845-1929).
2. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (30 Jan 1811 - 9 Sep 1880), m. WHFT 20 Dec 1832; and Constance Stewart, née Gilchrist-Clark, 'Connie' (b. 1863), WHFT's Scottish granddaughter.
3. Ela Theresa Talbot (25 Apr 1835 - 25 Apr 1893), WHFT's 1st daughter; and Rosamond Constance Talbot (16 Mar 1837 - 7 May 1906), 'Rose'; 'Monie'; artist & WHFT's 2nd daughter; died & buried at San Remo, Italy, with a memorial at Lacock.
4. Charles Henry Talbot, (2 Feb 1842 - 26 Dec 1916), 'Charlie'; 'Tally'; antiquary & WHFT's only son.
5. William Mundy (1801-1877), politician, WHFT's brother-in-law.
6. Mary Thereza Talbot (1795-1861), WHFT's cousin.
7. Rev Edward Powell Nicholl (1831-1902), Vicar of Lacock from 1864 until his resignation in 1870; photographer.