Mount Edgcumbe <1>
Devonport.
Saturday 12th June 1875
My dear Henry
Please write & tell me the name of the flower I sent you the other day – if it is an Abutilon or not. It is a beautiful thing, & most ornamental in the gardens. I found yesterday a small sh–rub in flower, which I believe is one raised from the seed Charlie <2> brought from Australia & of which, (if I don’t forget,) I shall enclose a flower.
I also found in bloom one of his, [illegible deletion] which I take to be the one you describe in the Conservatory at Lacock – a Beaufortia<3> with crimson flowers – like a bottle brush; but it is a very small plant, only put out this Spring. One of the Eucalyptus trees, planted 3 or 4 yrs ago, is now in full blossom – & in general, everything this year is in the greatest perfection.
Val <4> has become quite a botanist – (wh he never was originally –) He has got a very nice book about English wild flowers, by Anne Pratt, <5> in 6 vols. full of extremely well drawn & coloured plates – & he makes the children bring him all the wild plants they find – & then makes them out, & shews them the names & pictures. Did I tell you Ernestine <6> was going to Lansdowne He <7> next week for a little visit, & peep of London? She intended going on Tuesday but as the Bishop holds a Confirmation at Maker Church on that day, she will probably put of [sic] her departure for a day. My love to all –
Yr affte Sister
Caroline
[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esqre
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. Mt Edgecumbe, near Plymouth: seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe.
2. Charles Earnest Edgcumbe (1838–1915), JP, WHFT’s nephew.
3. Mary, Duchess of Beaufort (1630-1715) was a famous plant collector. Beaufortia, a plant from S W Australia, was named after her and introduced into England in the early 19th c.
4. William Henry Edgcumbe, ‘Val’, 4th Earl Mt Edgcumbe (1832–1917), JP & Ld Steward of the Royal Household; WHFT’s nephew ‘Bimbo’.
5. Probably Anne Pratt, Wild Flowers (London: 1857).
6. Ernestine Emma Horatia Edgcumbe (1843-1925), WHFT’s niece.
7. Lansdowne House, London: home of the Marquis of Lansdowne, WHFT's uncle and cousins.