Blickling
February 10th
My dear Henry
I have not the least objection to make the exchange, & I rather think I should secretly prefer the birds to the flowers - unlike Uncle William, <1> who likes flowers better than men, & stones better than flowers -
We shall not be able to leave this before the beginning middle of this week, as poor Lord Valletort <2> has had a rather severe fit of the gout, the worst he has had since last May, which has kept him shut up a whole week - as soon as he is able we shall set out & hope soon to see you in our way to Laycock Abbey - This is a very fine old place with a picturesque park & lake, full of fern, deer & wild fowl - the house is in the style of Hatfield, <3> with a gallery 130 ft long, containing 11000 volumes -
You have not told me how you like your legislative duties, & what you think of the new speakers, the O'Dwyers & O'Connors & Cobbett? <4> Your letter concerning Mr Porter <5> did not reach me till after I had left Burghley - Pray take care of my parcel from Rodwell <6> till we meet, which I hope will be in a few days -
Yr affte Sister
Caroline
Henry Fox Talbot Esqr
31 Sackville Street
London
Notes:
1. William Thomas Horner Fox Strangways, 4th Earl of Ilchester (1795-1865), botanist, art collector & diplomat.
2. Ernest Augustus Edgcumbe, Lord Valletort, 3rd Earl of Mt Edgcumbe (1797-1861), WHFT's brother-in-law.
3. See Doc. No: 02535.
4. Andrew Carew O'Dwyer (d. 1877), author, Barrister and a Repealer; sat for Drogheda, 1832-1835. Feargus Edward O'Connor (1796-1855), newspaper editor, Irish Chartist; sat for the Co. of Cork, 1832-1835 and was an unsuccessful candidate for Oldham, 1835. William Cobbett (1762-1835), journalist and radical campaigner; sat for Oldham from 1832 until his death in 1835.
5. Charles Porter (1797-1877), fellow Cambridge student with WHFT and clergyman [See Doc. No: 00889].
6. Probably the bookseller at Bond Street. [See Doc. No: 02827].