Harbour House
Portpatrick
August 16th 1876
My dear Papa,
I sent you a small bit of a plant which I found growing in a bog near the sea – it is very much spoilt now, but when growing I was attracted by its very pretty and conspicuous yellow flowers – of a very fragile texture – As far as I can make out from the small book we have with us, it is probably March St Johns wort – H. elodes: <1> but the description is so vague, that it is impossible to be sure. The flower differs from a St John’s wort in being half opened – not showing the stamens – it droops a little – I never saw the flower before any where – We had a dreadfully hot walk the day I got it – having wandered among the sand hills on Luce Bay in search of arrowheads – but this time we got none – & it was really too hot to look for them This place is very picturesque but very fatiguing as there is no level ground – I particularly dislike the top of the cliffs – so I stay at the base of them as much s I can – Bathing is pleasant, as the water is as clear as crystal – & very deep but it is all on rocks – so there is a constant surf & waves on the calmest days – Maudie <2>has bathed three times & been very brave about it – though she doesn’t like being put over head – I was glad to get Rosamonds <3> letter on Monday night, as it was a week since I had had any news – What a pity Aunt Caroline <4> could not pay you a longer visit. I am so glad to hear such a great improvement in the account of Mamie’s <5> health that she has actually been out of doors! – that was a great step – Please thank Monie for forwarding the letter about the Poultry I think the man must be an oddity – With much love
Your most affecte daughter
Tilly
Weather boiling hot! –
Notes:
1. Hypericum elodes.
2. Matilda Theresa Gilchrist-Clark (15 July 1871 - 25 March 1958) met her grandfather, WHFT, when she was six years old and was surprised to find upon Charles Henry Talbot's death in 1916 that he had unconditionally left Lacock Abbey and all its contents to her. Miss Matilda changed her surname to Talbot and lived at Lacock Abbey the rest of her life, working diligently to preserve her grandfather's memory.
3. Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter.
4. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.
5. Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].