Melbury ^<1>
Friday

My dear Henry

I am very sorry to hear you are not coming to us so soon – for we go to Abbotsbury ^<2> Monday where the Framptons ^<3> are to meet us & I am in hopes of M^r Buckland ^<4> in the course of the week I do not exactly know when we return here but if you will let us know when you mean to come we will not miss you –

John ^<5> is going for a day to Oxford this week to take his degree in form perhaps he will meet Kit ^<6> there for the same purpose – I am glad you are going to cull Spring flowers on the hills of Nice a second visit is worth so much more than a first one

I have little to tell you in botany – only that to my astonishment the three Neapolitan Euphorbias tho so very succulent, seem to be invulnerable even to frost – & their acrid juice seems to keep off beasts – Veronica Buxbaumii still in full flower & not the least inclined to die. Primula Palinuri proves an everlasting blower –

While you are at Bowood ^<7> pray look at the Evergreens which are remarkably fine particularly stone pines & a pinaster near the head of the Cascade – & one near the path to the school – There are a number of fine deciduous trees which you will miss at this time of year –

I am curious to know Kits plan of travelling is he going for good now & to have his yacht round – & so cut the Welch people & all the bore of coming of age? Write to me at Abbotsbury –

Yr aff^te
W T H F S

On looking at your note again we dont exactly understand – but expecting to see you at Abbotsbury Wednesday or Thursday we shall hear from your self what you mean –

Sherborne, Jan^y twenty four 1824 Ilchester, ^<8> –
H. Talbot Esq^r
Bowood
Calne
Wilts

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Notes:

1. Melbury, Dorset: one of the Fox Strangways family homes; WHFT was born there.

2. Abbotsbury, Dorset: home of William Thomas Horner Fox Strangways.

3. Lady Harriot Louisa Frampton, née Fox Strangways (1778 - 6 Aug 1844); dau of Henry Thomas Fox Strangways, 2^nd Earl of Ilchester; and her husband, Lt Col James Frampton (1769- 8 Feb 1855), High Sheriff, of Moreton, Dorset.

4. William Buckland (1784–1856), Dean of Westminster & scientist.

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

6. Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot (1803–1890), immensely wealthy landowner, mathematician & politician; WHFT’s Welsh cousin.

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

8. Henry Stephen Fox Strangways, 3^rd Earl of Ilchester (1787–1858).