Melbury <1>
Dec 29 –
Dear Henry
Let us know something about you – I return you a letter of yours that you may report to me the difference if any between the state of your garden in August & now
John <2> is here & Kit <3> both very well – Do you go to the Penrice wedding <4>– what sad weather for horticulture
Your Affte
W F S
Were you not sorry to hear of poor Raddi <5>’s death at Rhodes1829 Dorchester, Decr thirty Ilchester <6>
H. Talbot Esqr
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Post Office <7>
Brighton
Sussex
Notes:
1. Melbury, Dorset: one of the Fox Strangways family homes; WHFT was born there.
2. John George Charles Fox Strangways (1803–1859), MP.
3. Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot (1803–1890), immensely wealthy landowner, mathematician & politician; WHFT’s Welsh cousin.
4. That of Isabella Talbot to Richard Franklen in late January 1830.
5. Joseph (Giuseppe) Raddi (1770–1829), Italian botanist.
6. Henry Stephen Fox Strangways, 3rd Earl of Ilchester (1787–1858).
7. Readdressed in another hand.