Lacock Abbey
Friday
My dear Henry
We seem indeed to have got some true Summer weather, which I had scarcely thought would visit us at all this year – Part of yesterday was rather oppressive even here – & today seems quite hot as far as I can judge from the air in-doors – for I have not yet been out – My letter yesterday would not tell you much news after you had seen the one which I wrote to Harriot <1> – I am much pleased that you found time to call in Queen Anne St <2> – How did you think Harriot looking, & is Emily <3> improved by her visit to Blackheath? – I saved Capt Smith’s Seeds yesterday, with the exception of one kind, the New South Wales Acacia – which he directs to have a previous soaking in hot water – boiling water he says, but I think it will not be prudent to make it so hot as that – There are but seven or eight kinds in all – Mrs Awdry has sent you a small present of bulbs from Bombay which Reid <4> has planted in pots. – There are eight of them, but they appear only to be of three sorts – unluckily there are no names sent with them. – The printed papers in which they were packed have some things in curious characters [illegible deletion] mingled with the English articles – They resemble some writing which you once shewed me & told me was either Chinese or Japanese – I have preserved them for you –
Why is not poor Caroline <5> allowed to come up to London? – it seems so natural for her to wish it – and the torment of anxiety at such a distance as Mt Edgcumbe <6> must be very great – but I suppose there must be good reason for refusing her –
I shall send this short epistle in the Basket as it is written chiefly to tell you of Mrs Awdry’s bulbs & is not worthy of postage. –
Dear Henry your affectionate
Constance
Notes:
1. Harriot Georgiana Mundy, née Frampton (1806-1886), WHFT’s cousin & sister-in-law.
2. 44 Queen Ann Street: London home of the Mundy family and a frequent base for WHFT.
3. Emily Mundy (1807– 5 November 1839), WHFT’s sister-in-law.
4. John Reid, head gardener at Lacock Abbey.
5. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.
6. Mt Edgecumbe, near Plymouth: seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe.