Markeaton <1>
July 26
My dear Henry
As I cannot but think the time is now propitious for sending the Cuttings of the Clematis – var –? they go in off today stuck into a piece of turnip or potatoe [sic] after the fashion recommended by poor Mary Talbot <2> – she was one of those I missed more than I expected to have done, for as I grew older I valued her more, and her peculiarities did not annoy one so much –. Isabella, <3> I have seen almost nothing of for years, and we were never very simpatica <4> excepting about Flowers – Many of the best in the Garden we owe to her and to the Gardens of Lanelay & M. Mawr. <5> I have not enjoyed this summer – 1º the heat gave me a cold – & then the perpetual East winds even when the sun was so scorchingly hot, prevented me from sitting out &c – tho’ the Midges (my inveterate enemies) – also disliking apparently the said E. wind, have been less troublesome than usual! I hope however that you & yours have enjoyed yourselves. –
As to my book about which you enquire – whereat I am flattered – it is not exactly what you think. I am now trying to arrange a Journal <6> kept by my Aunt Mary Frampton – specially as she writes for the amusement of her Nephews, Nieces & great Do – from early days about 1780 to 1846 the date of her death – which has made me think of interspersing therewith a great many amusing & curious letters &c from different members of the Frampton and Strangways families –. It will be most interesting if I can finish it – Henry <7> is very anxious on this point and desirous that it should be printed for private distribution – (not published for many reasons) – the only objection to which is the expense which is very great. – Nous verrons. <8> Of course you would have a copy if ever this comes to pass. –
Then I have a delicious collection of all I can get together about the “Family” only – a portfolio full waiting to be put in order with Photogphs Autogphs &ccc of people & places &ccc but I have nobody to help me – as I used to help my mother – I have always wished for an “intelligent slave” but in vain. If these Cuttings don’t strike pray let me know & you shall have more later. Certainly nobody has a better claim than yourself to anything we possess – let alone the pride & pleasure of contributing to the collection of an Assyriologue!<9>
With love yr very affte
H G My
Notes:
1. Markeaton Hall, Derbyshire, NW of Derby: home of the Mundy family.
2. Mary Thereza Talbot (1795–1861), WHFT’s cousin. See Doc. No: 00351, which dates this document to 1874. Also see Doc. No: 00585
3. Isabella Catherine Franklen, née Talbot (1804–1874).
4. She means ‘we never had much in common’.
5. Llanely, or Lanely, Glamorganshire: home of Lady Mary Cole and Mary Thereza Talbot and Merthyr Mawr, Glamorgan, on River Ogwr, home of the Nicholls.
6. Harriot Georgiana Frampton Mundy, The journal of Mary Frampton, from the year 1779, until the year 1846. Including various interesting and curious letters, anecdotes, &c. relating to events which occurred during that period (London: S. Low, Marston, Searle, & Rivington, 1885).
7. Henry Frampton (1804-1879).
8. We shall see.
9. The introduction of the word Assyrioloque occurs in Doc. No: 00351
10. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
11. Her husband, William Mundy (1801-1877), politician, WHFT’s brother-in-law.
12. Francis Noel Mundy (1833-1903), WHFT's nephew, and his wife, Emily Maria Georgiana, née Cavendish (1845-1929).