11 Moray Place
April 25^th

My dear Papa

Thank you very much for your letter received this morning and for the book which I found lying on the table on going down to breakfast. I recognise Lieut Cap Speker (whose name I see mentioned at the beginning) as Captain Burton’s companion in his last African journey but as far as one could gather from that narrative they were not very friendly together.

Your engraving was very much admired and I think it is the best I have seen yet, every part being so distinct and clear, but it looks as if it was done from a print, and I want to know if you are equally successful in copying Photographs. and whether you have succeeded with those of larger size – You must bring a good collection with you as we want very much to see all you have doing [sic] since the weather has been so favourable – Our Spring must be still forwarder here, I should think than at Lacock as not only the hedges are in leaf but many of the trees; – the horsechesnuts are quite green, the willows also, and most of the young trees in the Square. yesterday Mamma and I took a walk to Dean Cemetery – there are more flowers there than formerly, and tufts of Primroses & cowslips – Wallflowers &c looked very gay – I am also desired to tell you that the thermometer for several days past has been above 60! – We have the most brilliant sunshine, beautifully clear views and a soft mild wind – and are all so anxious you would come immediately as you said; for fear you should let the fine weather go by & then imagine you had left it behind at Lacock – but you do not say anything about coming either to Mamma or to me in your letters today, and Mamma hopes if you leave really on Saturday to hear from you again that we may know what day to expect you here –

Is not Tilly lucky in having such weather for Speddoch? but it will be rather hard for her to have to come away again so soon – Millburn Tower^<1> must be looking charming just now, and we are already wishing to be there. – I received a present of a pair of candlesticks in lava from Mamie & Monie this morning. They will be both very useful and ornamental to my room –

I want to inquire after the health of the young transplanted almond trees that were looking sickly when we left home – If you have not remarked them, would you ask Wilkins if they survived. Have the Pideas[?] floweld yet? I mean those two unfortunates we gave to you in the shape of bulbs and did they turn out any thing remarkably? Among the flowers we saw yesterday in Dean Cemetery was a yellow Anemone with very cut out leaves of which I believe you are fond –

I think dear Papa I must now wish you good bye as we are going out –

With love from all

Your affectionate daughter Ela

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Notes:

1. Millburn Tower, Gogar, just west of Edinburgh; the Talbot family made it their northern home from June 1861 to November 1863. It is particularly important because WHFT conducted many of his photoglyphic engraving experiments there. The house had a rich history. Built for Sir Robert Liston (1742-1836), an 1805 design by Benjamin Latrobe for a round building was contemplated but in 1806 a small house was built to the design of William Atkinson (1773-1839), best known for Sir Walter Scott’s Abbotsford. The distinctive Gothic exterior was raised in 1815 and an additional extension built in 1821. Liston had been ambassador to the United States and maintained a warm Anglo-American relationship in the years 1796-1800. His wife, the botanist Henrietta Liston, née Marchant (1751-1828) designed a lavish American garden, sadly largely gone by the time the Talbots rented the house .