Friday.
My dear Henry
The accompanying note is my answer to your last, I think you would be disappointed however if the envelope contained more! – Uncle Wm <1> sent us some heads of Allium siculum & on my sending him word my Sisters <2> did not patronize the tribe he begged I would send it to you as you would be glad of it. – Nothing can thrive better than your Allium Subhirsutum does here, I am extremely fond of it but sorry for the odour which prevents my having it in the flower pot in the Drawing room.
I have been to see the Aloe it is in bud but not one of them has opened yet it is taller than when I wrote last but I do not know how much. I desired the Gardener to write an account of it to the Gardener’s Chronicle when it was in perfection – and to let me know. – I heard from Jane at Strasburg they were all well & going on to Berne, where they arrived safely I am informed by a person to whom Mr Nicholl <3> wrote on business they took two Sons & three daughters abroad, Tutor & Governess! so they are a large party. –
Mamma <4> is middling, we have desperately hot weather again now I hope our lazy neighbours will take advantage of it & finish their harvest work at once. –
I hardly ever saw a clearer day than last Sunday, the views from our hill were beautiful & Mr & Mrs Cole who are with us were quite charmed with the walk.
I hope all your little tribe are in good health I want to see them sadly. My kind love to all
I am your affate Coz
Mary Talbot
Notes:
1. William Thomas Horner Fox Strangways, 4th Earl of Ilchester (1795–1865), botanist, art collector & diplomat.
2. Jane Harriot Nicholl, née Talbot (1796–1874); Charlotte Louisa 'Charry' Traherne, née Talbot (1800–1880), WHFT’s cousin; Isabella Catherine Franklen, née Talbot (1804–1874); Emma Thomasina Llewelyn, née Talbot (1806–1881), photographer; WHFT’s Welsh cousin.
3. Dr John Nicholl (1797–1853), MP.
4. Lady Mary Lucy Cole, née Strangways, first m. Talbot (1776–1855), WHFT’s aunt.