Lacock
Jany 25
My dear Constance
I have sent the grass – its flowers are very pretty when magnified, they appear then as crimson plumes.
I believe that all kinds of grass are wholesome, but at first let pussy have a little at a time, & if it does no harm, there is plenty more left in the stove.
I am glad you told me of Monie’s <1> safe arrival, for she did not write herself.
We had tremendous storms both Saturday night and last night, the worst time of it being about five in the morning. We have lost no trees, but there is a very high flood looking like a beautiful lake. Pray thank Ela <2> for her pretty flower it is considered a British native plant because it grows in the Channel islands but the British specimens have very much smaller flowers, and I consider them a different species. Most Ixias grow at the Cape of Good Hope.
The coloured gelatine is very good for optical experiments I am not making any just now, but if the gelatine is sold in Bath it would be well to procure some and keep it in store.
As I was not asked to send tickets for the Royal Institution <3> I suppose the Speddings <4> have become members or subscribers to it.
I will write about Goodwin <5> probably tomorrow, not having time today.
Your affte
Henry
Notes:
1. Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter.
2. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter.
3. Royal Institution, London.
4. Probably related to Thomas Storey Spedding (1800–1870), of Mirehouse, man of letters.
5. George Goodwin (d. 1875), footman at Lacock Abbey.