Monday
March 9
Lacock
My dear Constance
I enclose the Liverpool letter –<1> We had snow early this morning but it did not remain on the ground long. The snowdrops are almost over, nothing at present beyond crocusses & daffodils & dogs tooth violets. The Times is quite full today of the Ashantee war, <2> it is very interesting. We have bought a garden horse which is likely to suit, the price was £30. Mr Skertchley’s<3> adventures in Dahomey amused me, he was invited to dance a pas de deux <4> with the King and proved equal to the occasion. What a field for the naturalist in Ashantee and Dahomey! Letters in the times describe the view from the Adaasi hills – an unbroken forest à perte de vue.<5> A naturalist might ramble all his life in such a forest, and still find new paths and new insects.
Lieut. Mundy was in the Navy.<6> The sailors are now fighting ashore<7>
Yours affly
Henry
Notes:
1. Enclosure not located.
2. The wars that took place at Ashantee, Western Africa (1873–1874). See “The Occupation and Burning of Commassie”, The Times, 9 March 1874, pp. 5,6,7.
3. T. Alfred Skertchly, Dahomey As It Is (London: Chapman and Hall, 1874). Part of which was published in The Times, 6 March 1874, p. 7. [See Doc. No: 03327].
4. A dance for two.
5. As far as the eye can see.
6. Sub-Lt R Mundy was injured in the great twelve hour battle on 31 January.
7. See Doc. No: 03327.