Abbotsbury ^<1>
13 April 1859

My dear Henry

I am very glad to hear of Matilda’s ^<2> future prospects & only regret that the West of Scotland is so far from the West of England that her family will feel that she is very far off.

Your Lichtzeichendruck is very pretty & interesting it seems to A. ^<3> formosum of N. Zealand. I only heard yesterday on good botanical authority that Capillus veneris ^<4> grows in this country in Purbeck – a good herborizing district in other instances too.

I have been very successful in half hardy ferns, which comes I think of trying every thing out of doors, & some live. Their improvement in beauty & fructification is very great.

We have had the first old fashioned spring for many years, no east wind, & not too much rain. We have peas in flower, vines on reed fence with shoots near a foot long, & such a profusion of flowers as seldom comes so early. The new ever green Clematis – indivisa with long racemes of large white flowers is an acquisition – & the shrubby Solanum, & Citharexylon both covered with blue flowers, Triteleia uniflora (a S. American large flowered garlic) Egnidium[?] & a very handsome new Edwardsia the tree heaths now Heath trees, a variety of Rhodods. Magnolia Yulan & gracilis, & thousands of hyacinth, Narcissus, squill Ornithogs – ever since Crocuses were over.

I was sorry to hear poor Thereza Maskelyne ^<5> has been very ill since her confinement – I heard yesterday from Sir Charles ^<6> who does not write as if he was very well. I hope all your party have not suffered from the prevalent sore throats.

Have you made any remark upon the difference of climate between Lacock & Edinburgh I direct to Lacock as it is possible business may bring you south. L^y Ilchester ^<7> unites with me in love to the family en bloc, & hopes to see you here where we have much to show you.

Y^r aff^te
W^m

[envelope:]
Henry F. Talbot Esq
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham

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Notes:

1. Abbotsbury, Dorset: home of William Thomas Horner Fox Strangways.

2. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3^rd daughter.

3. Adiantum.

4. Adiantum capillus veneris [see Doc. No: 00628].

5. Thereza Mary Maskelyne, née Llewelyn (1834–1926), daughter of Emma and John Dillwyn Llewelyn, m 29 June 1858, Nevil Story-Maskelyne (1823–1911), photographer, politician & scientist.

6. Sir Charles Lemon (1784–1868), politician & scientist; WHFT’s uncle.

7. His wife, Lady Sophia Penelope Jolliffe, née Sheffield (1822-1882); first m. WTHFS, 21 July 1857; second m. 1^st Baron Hylton.