4 Circus Bath <1>
March 5th
My dear Papa,
Please to tell me the name of enclosed Squill. – We have one little patch of it in the garden here – and it is more showy and flowers more abundantly than the other kinds. – we should like to order some more roots from a nursery man if we knew which kind to ask for – this plant came from a few stray bulbs that were mixed with some hyacinths we brought from Scotland – and I do not know that we have any more like it at Lacock. I think not.
Please to thank Charles <2> for letter received Friday – and which I would have answered had there been any thing to say: but there was really nothing. – We got good accounts from Monie <3> who seems to be enjoying her visit and spending her time pleasantly in the picture galleries. We expect her back on Tuesday snext. – Weather continues very stormy and blustering but today is quite mild.
Mrs Drummond has succeeded in procuring for me a young hen parraquet just arrived from Australia; and she seems to have made great friends already with her mate though they have been only a few days together – he has quite recovered his spirits and mopy ways, and I hope now they will all get on well – I hope that you still continue to be quite comfortable at Lacock: Do you think you will be coming into Bath again soon or not?
Good bye dear Papa
Yr affecte daughter
Ela
Notes:
1. 4 the Circus, Bath; frequent summer home of Constance Talbot, now a Museum of Costume.
2. Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.
3. Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter.