Lacock
March 11 – 1869
My Dear Mlle Amélina
I received your letter some days ago, and immediately wrote to Messrs Stilwell. <1> They have placed £40 in Coutts’s bank to my credit which I will bring with me to Italy. I begin to feel anxious about your intended departure from Venice and I hope the weather will soon be mild enough to admit of it. I suppose Charles <2> has left you. If not, pray tell him there is a letter waiting for him at the Post office Munich.
Last night we had a severe frost the first one of any importance this winter – We had 10 degrees of frost. The great Wisteria is now protected by an awning of tiffany 100 feet long, & Wilkins <3> is delighted. This awning makes a most conspicuous object on entering the garden. We hope the flowerbeds will not be cut off this year, being thus protected. A beautiful Chinese climber has come into abundant flower out of doors – We have had it several years against a wall but it never flowered before. It is called Akebia quinata. The stove is gay with flowers – the Lælia superbiens is very fair. You remember I once planted a flower which Caroline <4> sent in a letter of Bignonia picta. It struck root and grew into a fine plant which is now in beautiful flower in the Stove. Caroline has asked me to spend a few days at Cotehele <5> before I go to Italy & I think I shall go there. Tilly has not written to me for an age; at which I am concerned – The Prince & Pss of Wales <6> seem to be making a very pleasant tour of Egypt. I think of coming by the road over the Brenner, but have not quite made up my mind.
Love to all Your affte
H. F. Talbot
Notes:
1. Stilwell & Company.
2. Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.
3. George Wilkins (b. 1814), gardener at Lacock.
4. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.
5. Cotehele, Cornwall: ancient house, seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe, now a National Trust Property.
6. Albert Edward (1841–1910), acceeded as King Edward VII, 1901, and Princess Alexandra Carolina Marie Charlotte Louise Julia (1844–1925).