Lacock
Thursday March 10
My dear Constance
Have you heard anything more from Monie? <1> I think they must now be arrived at Rome and I want to know their address that I may write to Monie. I heard from Harriet <2> yesterday She is busy studying very old wills of the Mundy family in Henry the 8ths reign, and wants me to explain old English words – Today has been a magnificent day – the Crocusses [sic] were in the greatest beauty there are more than ever of them and wall parts of the gardens. The French photographic Society of Paris <3> have written to me to ask me to contribute some specimens to their next Exhibition which is soon about to open. I am going to do so; this and several other jobs will prevent my leaving this before Monday. I intended to have sent Ela <4> today a list of plants in our garden but had not time. Our palm tree has stood the winter unharmed (after living 5 or 6 years in the stove, it was turnd [sic] out for want of room) – tell Ela our Cheddar pink will soon be in flower. I was so very sorry to hear from you that Tilly’s <5> deafness continued – I hope to have a better report of her tomorrow.
Your affte
Henry
Notes:
1. Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter.
2. Harriot Georgiana Mundy, née Frampton (1806-1886), WHFT’s cousin & sister-in-law. For her letter see Doc. No: 09616.
3. Société Française de photographie, founded in 1857. In 1870 it was housed at Rue Cadet, 9 Paris. [See Doc. No: 05426]. For the Society’s letter to WHFT see Doc. No: 05424. WHFT sent three heliographic engravings. [See Doc. No: 05421].
4. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter.
5. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3rd daughter.