Normanby ^<1>

30 Nov^r

Dear Henry

I have just received your letter from Aske Hall ^<2> which does not tell me whether you have got one from me which I sent to Sackville S^{t <3>} – in which I begged your interest with D^r Hooker ^<4> for some junci & other rare British plants for Bertoloni. ^<5> I envy you your visit at Spofforth ^<6> pray Ask to see the varieties of Glad. tristis he is famous for. & I daresay most of the new Brasilian plants – John ^<7> says Nimrod ^<8> promises too little, he ought to be Moses as well as all the rest. It seems to be a book calculated for Gell ^<9> & Palin ^<10> –

I find Cyclamen Neapolitanum in the garden here out of doors, apparently having flowered in profusion – the Gardener will have it to have been a white flower – Also some hardy heaths which astonish me – australis – ramulosa

I sent the box of roots by coach to Lacock a day or two before I left London – my servant went himself to see all safe. I hope I may be able to visit you, but what with the Penrice marriages ^<11> & other numerous engagements I know not how to settle it just now – as I go Bowood ^<12> & I believe Oxford before Xmas – You should see Lincoln Cathedral in your way –

Y^r Aff^te
W F S

Henry F. Talbot Esq
Post Office
York

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Notes:

1. The home in north Lincolnshire of the Sheffield family. Lady Sheffield, née Charlotte Sophia Digby (1767-1835) was the sister of Lady Ilchester, née Juliana Maria Digby (c. 1773-1842).

2. The home in North Yorkshire of Lord Dundas.

3. 31 Sackville Street, London residence of the Feildings, often used as a London base by WHFT.

4. Sir William Jackson Hooker (1785–1865), Prof & botanist.

5. Prof Antoine Bertoloni (1793–1868), Italian botanist.

6. The home of the Rev William Herbert.

7. John George Charles Fox Strangways (1803–1859), MP.

8. Algernon Herbert (1792–1855), Nimrod: a discourse upon certain passages of history and fable (London: 1828–1830).

9. Probably Sir William Gell (1777–1836), classical archaeologist and traveller.

10. See also Doc. No: 01712.

11. Isabella Talbot had announced her intended marriage to Richard Franklen but the wedding did not take place until late January 1830. Her sister Charlotte’s wedding to John Traherne eventually took place in April 1830 but had probably been announced towards the end of 1829.

12. Bowood House, nr Calne, Wiltshire, 5 mi NE of Lacock: seat of the Marquess of Lansdowne.