The Winter Villa ^<1>
Dec^r 6^th 1859

My dear Henry

Have you ever seen the Bougainvilliea in flower? It grew at Palermo in the Botanic Garden, & flowered splendidly. Two years ago Captⁿ Eyres R.N. made me a present of two plants, which he had brought from the King’s Garden at Lisbon. It’s [sic] native country is Brázil I believe. One of these two plants fell sick, & was taken to Mount Edgcumbe ^<2> to be nursed, where it is now doing well. The other grew in a straggling, uncomfortable way to the top of the Conservatory, without shewing the smallest intention of flowering – but quite lately it seems to have changed it’s mind – & has produced several long branches covered with blossoms, which hang down, & have a very pretty effect. –

Wednesday 7^th

I enclose a specimen – Is it not a lovely colour? Please thank Matilda ^<3> for her very nice long letter received today. I hope much they will be able to come –

Y^rs aff^ly
Caroline

[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esq^re
Laycock Abbey
Chippenham

---

Notes:

1. Winter Villa, near Plymouth: estate of the Earls of Mt Edgcumbe.

2. Mt Edgecumbe, near Plymouth: seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe.

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