1 87 George Street
April 21st 1860.
My dear Papa,
I ought to begin by being very angry, and scolding you very much for never having answered the letter I wrote you some time ago; and you really do not deserve another – but I suppose I must make up my mind to be forgiving, and hope that you will not treat me so ill this time, but send me a nice long letter, to stand instead of two – there are one or two things that I have been wishing to ask you, and I must do so at once before forgetting. I suppose Mama told you that we called on the Kellands some time ago, but only saw Mrs K. as the Professor was out. However, she of course talked about him a great deal, and said that he had been wishing very much to hear what you were doing now in the way of engraving – He thought you might have sent some specimens to the Photographic Exhibition here, which he had been unable to attend – So I promised that I would ask you if you would not mind sending him one or two new things that you have done lately, if you have any that you like to show. I am sure it would be a great pleasure to him, as he feels as if his illness had cut him off from his friends, and from hearing what goes on. He is still unable to walk further than the length of the crescent, though he manages to attend his classes. The other thing I want to know is the name of a beautiful large bright yellow anemonie [sic], at present in flower in the open air here. It is fully as large as a white Christmas rose, with the cut out leaves of an anemonie – so I cannot be wrong in calling it one. It is a most showy plant, especially at this time of the year. Have you got the Tropeolum Tricolorum? It is so pretty – I see it in a nurseryman’s window here. I hope you were pleased with the plants from Comely Bank. Please thank Mama for the long letter I had from her yesterday, which crossed mine – I hope she got the little book safe. The winter here will not take its departure, as any reasonable winter would do, at this time of the year – It snowed several times today, and I did not venture out. Johnnie is gone to watch a company drill in the Queen’s park, where it must be very cold – Good bye dear Papa, I shall expect a letter very soon, as a reward for this
love to all Yr affecte daughter
Matilda. –
[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esqr.
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wiltshire