Dabton <1>
Thornhill
Oct 10th 1875
My dear Papa
“Agaricus Procerus” is a very pleasing and desirable fungus – and we partook of a fine specimen gathered at Carruchan, for dinner yesterday – and had 2 more this morning – it is very like a mushroom in flavour, with another taste besides – We also found some more Coprinus Comatus – of which Monie <2> has probably told you – these two are really worth eating – as to the rest, don’t be frightened we consult 3 books and several pictures before we trust a fungus – & then only eat a little piece of him to begin with: We went to see the purple flower Lisianthus Russelianus at Drumlanrig after it came into blossom. It was not quite so pretty as I expected – something like a large Sisyrinchium, only much larger, much more blue. I hope that Valletort <3> & his daughter are not really going to leave you on Monday it would be a very short visit indeed but perhaps as it is growing so late in the year, he is obliged to hurry home. We have just got an Eton school list from Jack <4> – he seems to have kept his place very well – and I suppose one must not expect more in the first Term – the list only shows the position at the beginning of the present Term – Of course he has gone up – but I mean he has kept his place with reference to the boys above & below him – he is now in Middle Remove – much love to all – I have recd Mamie’s <5> and Rosamond’s letters, wh I will answer soon – The children send love
Yr most affecte daughter
Tilly
[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esqre
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. Dabton, Dumfriesshire: home of WHFT’s daughter Matilda.
2. Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter.
3. William Henry Edgcumbe, ‘Val’, 4th Earl Mt Edgcumbe (1832–1917), JP & Ld Steward of the Royal Household; WHFT’s nephew ‘Bimbo’.
4. John Henry Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Jack’ (1861–1902), WHFT’s grandson.
5. Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].