June 30.
My dear Henry
We shall be only too proud to send a Cutting of the Clematis which you are pleased to admire so much but the Gardener says it will not do now. You shall have it without fail later.
I am inclined to think he is right – tho’ I do not by any means always give into the stereotyped opinion about things only growing at conventional periods of the year! – which you will no doubt consider a very heterodox idea – because the said Clematis is only about 3½ feet high – and seems all small shoots or branchlets so I don’t see how it wd take root – It blew bigger than its body I thought if you comprehend that!
I was so glad to hear of Rosamond’s <1> escapade to London the other day which Emily <2> enjoyed extremely & I hope R. did also. Her next exploit must be to come here next month or rather in August or Septr. We depend on a visit then, & it is but her duty to come & see a pair of old Uncles & Aunts – that is not good English because there are only 1 pair – but I don’t see how to express it better & having got into the hobble must leave it for better for worse.
Yr affte
H G Mundy
Surely the Peerages are wrong in saying your Mother died 1840 – because we were in Sicily at the time wch was 1846.7. –
Best love to C. <3> – Mr My <4> has been very tolerably well but just now is not so – I think however it will pass off as has been the case before. He never likes Thundery weather.
P.S. I marvel what a “Sinologue” <5> may be? In the French Biographie Universelle – Sir George Staunton <6> is said to be “un sinologue anglais” – As he was so learned in languages &c &c I suspect you may be the same? Only think, if I should have a Kinsman who is a Sinologue!! I cannot find the word in our French dictionary so am obliged to remain ignorant.
My Brother Henry <7> is better I am glad to say. –
Notes:
1. Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter.
2. Emily Maria Georgiana, née Cavendish (1845-1929), wife of Francis Noel Mundy (1833-1903), WHFT's nephew.
3. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
4. William Mundy (1801-1877), politician, WHFT’s brother-in-law.
5. A student or specialist of China and matters Chinese. Also see Doc. No: 00351.
6. Sir George Thomas Staunton (1781–1859), English traveller and Orientalist.
7. Henry Frampton (1804-1879).