Coedriglan
April 14
My dear Henry
I am charmed with the collection of seeds you have sent me but not contented without the Silene fimbriata which I have never seen any where excepting in your Garden – & I do admire it very much. – I believe grasses are much the fashion and as Spencer Nicholl is very fond of them I shall get him to raise the one you have sent me & then I shall be sure to see it. –
Charlotte wished to come back again to Coedriglan & I could not let her return alone so I am obliged for the present to put off Gardening at Penrice & all my other business there. – there is much business of a very unpleasant nature to be got over here I am sorry to say the nephew to whom this place is left after Charlotte is not pleased because he will not have the St Hilary property too! & intends disputing his Uncle’s will which is very vexatious as all such things must be between Relations. the [sic] former will makes Charlotte possessor of every thing for her life the same as the last will. but [sic] it is annoying to her to know that dear Mr Traherne’s will should be disputed & must vex her very much – It is more convenient on business matters to be here just now & I only hope C. may be able to come to Penrice in the Summer and enjoy it without having any of these worries. –
The winter & the Pheasants have done so much mischief at Penrice I am quite grieved! I had hardly time to see after the flower Garden I had so much to do the fortnight I was there. We have a new Gardener too & I consider that I am more wanted than ever he is an obliging Man and minds me so I am pleased. –
Dahlia roots were not killed by the frost & yet double anemone pavonina were. I have only some weak plants coming up now. –
The Benthamia fragifera looks quite well everywhere but Cypressus’s are totally dead in the flower Garden The Peasants ate the Tulips & got inside netted beds for the purpose I never knew them do such a thing before tho’ I have occasionally seen flowers picked off Oculus Solis by them. they destroyed all our Crocuses roots & all! in short I cannot say what they have not done to our Spring plants. The woods are gay & in some parts white violets abound in the hedges. I hope your Garden thrives. –
I am your affate Coz
Mary
[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esqre
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham