Markeaton
Sept. 27th
My dear Papa
Aunt Harriot wishes to know the name of this fern which grows in their greenhouse and was raised from seed, given to the gardener by a friend – Am I right in saying that the erect leaves are those that produce the seed?
Today is very mild with a fog and Scotch mist but we have had some very fine days – On Monday we drove to Kedleston & saw the house there are some fine old pictures – and the church which is close by, has a curious old pun over the entrance –
Wee Must [sketch of clock-face] (dial or dye [sic] all) – !
Ld & Lady Scarsdale only live in one of the wings of the building which is a pity –
I was so glad to hear of Aunt Caroline and Ernestine having really reached Scotland, but I could hardly fancy them at Millburn–<1>
I hope Mama and Mamie both continue pretty well as I have heard nothing to the contrary,
I have nothing particular to add today, so good-bye dear Papa,
Yr affecte daughter
Ela
[silhouette residue of pressed fern leaves]
[envelope:]
H F Talbot Esq
Millburn Tower
Hermiston
Edinburgh
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 .