Belton
Tuesday Octr 18th 1836
My dear Henry
I have not heard anything about you or Constance <1> for an age but supposing you are still at Markeaton, <2> I shall send this there, although I have not much to say – The principal object of my letter is to announce to you that the Bulbs have left Mt Edgcumbe <3> at least a week ago, & must now therefore be arrived at Laycock Abbey – When we arrived here, the garden was, & indeed still is, perfectly émaillé <4> with flowers of every colour of the rainbow – I never recollect to have seen so many different kinds in blow so late in the year – but I suppose this place being so far North, the plants blossom later & remain longer in flower – I think you will like to have a list of them as far as I know their names, & recollect that every sort was in the greatest profusion –
1o Two or 3 kinds of real Roses, besides the China –
2o Calceolaria –
3o Salvia splendens –
4o Lobelia Cardinalis –
5o Purple & white Petunia –
6o Scarlet, lilac & purple Verbena
7o Variety of Stocks –
8o Variety of Mallows –
9o Clarkia pulchella –
10o Chinese Larkspur –
11o White Clematis, (coming into flower)
12o Mignonette –
13o Heart’s ease
14o Splendid Scarlet geraniums – whole beds full
15o Various coloured Holyhocks <sic> –
16o Magnificent Dahlias, of every possible variety of form & hue –
On the wall was likewise a Bignonia in blow, & a Magnolia in full flower – The latter blooms at Mt E– I think in August – such is the difference of climate. – The last account I had of Horatia <5> was a very good one – but I have not heard now for some days – I suppose they are en route – Her Leamington visit did her good – We were unimaginably snug & happy – Pray tell me something of them & you, & of your respective movements – Ld Valletort <6> was very much better when he left Leamington, but most unfortunately the day after his arrival here, he hurt his foot in getting over a gate, & had a fit (tho’ a slight one), of gout in consequence – He is now however much better, & went out driving yesterday for the first time – Give my kindest love to Constance & a kiss to Ela <7>
Ever yr affte Sister
Caroline
Notes:
1. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
2. Markeaton Hall, Derbyshire, NW of Derby: home of the Mundy family.
3. Mt Edgecumbe, near Plymouth: seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe.
4. Enamelled.
5. Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810–1851), WHFT’s half-sister.
6. Ernest Augustus Edgcumbe, Lord Valletort, 3rd Earl of Mt Edgcumbe (1797–1861), WHFT’s brother-in-law.
7. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter.