My dear Brother
I walked in Russell square <1> yesterday and saw a papilionaceous flower about as big as half a Laburnum, and quite yellow, will you tell me the name of it? In the square were three Children, two of which I played with. Elbelle <2> found the fern u in the Closet and I hope you will never again suspect her of having any of your ferns or mosses in her drawers, or if she does happen to have some, not to think she put them there. I send you a hundred kisses and my love. Do you work much in your garden, and have you a great many flowers in it.
Mama <3> hopes you gargle very often.
Dear Brother I am your affectionate Sister
C. Augusta. Feilding.
Notes:
1. London.
2. Probably the governess to Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister. [See Doc. No: 00703].
3. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.