Dear Henry
Send me back Martius’s <1> letter when you have read it – I enclose a note from Emily <2> – I know Malison <3> is reckoned a good gardener if other conditions suit he would put yours in good order for a futu[re]<4> one – Mr Lambert <5> is in town – he promis[ed] me a hardy Poinciana which is a novelty – Will the Comet <6> be as fine in January as now & higher in the sky? till we get frosty nights there is no chance of seeing it.
Yr aff
W F S
31 Octr
1835 London October thirty one W F Strangways
Henry F. Talbot Esq
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. Dr Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius (1794–1868), German botanist.
2. Amelia ‘Emily’ Matilda Murray (1795–1884), author.
3. See Doc. No: 00142.
4. Written off the edge of page.
5. Aylmer Bourke Lambert (1761–1842), botanist.
6. Halley’s comet appeared in 1835.