Penllergare
Sepr 10
My dear Henry
Your Hedichium Gardenerianum, blossomed grandly in its pot – and was so sweet – I wish we had a roofed conservatory to plant it out, in – it seems to succeed so well with you thus.
I wish you were here to see our Scarboro’ Lilies: Valletta Purpurea I intend trying some out at Caswell <1> as they have increased immensely and I believe they will do out near Tenby – Here they failed with the first frost, but they make the conservatory brillant [sic] with very little trouble – Have you got them? if not shall we sent you some? we have also quantities of the pretty Japan Lilies out of doors & indoors – they blow & do well, out; but the storms & wet do not agree with their blossoming at this time of year – I had hoped earlier in the year that your Rosamond <2> might have met my Elinor <3> at Markeaton <4> – as Harriot <5> kindly wished – but Elinor has not been able to leave her charge – she has had her little nephews & niece to take care of at Caswell and is still there – she went for a few days & has been there 5 weeks – they all had the Scarlet fever at their own home near Hay & when they were able to travel, their Father got the fever & has not yet been able to join his children – tho’ I am thankful to say all are going on well now – Poor Emma <6> lost one sweet little girl after nursing her for 3 weeks – We often go to Caswell to look after the small party & I take advantage of their visits to do a little gardening there – My Cistuses on the bank are very thriving & yesterday I admired 5 blossoms on the lovely yellow formosus where the black spots are so handsome! Cyclamens do well also and Bamboos – and myrtles – besides many things I had years ago from Abbotsbury <7> – Remember me kindly to Mrs Talbot <8> Ela <9> & Rosamond
& believe me ever your affte cousin
Emma Llewelyn
[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esqr.
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. Home of Emma Charlotte Crichton, née Llewelyn (1837–1929), and Henry Beynon Crichton (d.1889), near Swansea and Penllergaer, Glamorgan, 5 mi E of Loughor: home of the Llewelyn family.
2. Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter.
3. Elinor Amy Llewelyn (1844–1887).
4. Markeaton Hall, Derbyshire, NW of Derby: home of the Mundy family.
5. Harriot Georgiana Mundy, née Frampton (1806-1886), WHFT’s cousin & sister-in-law.
6. Emma Charlotte Crichton had lost her daughter Lily.
7. Abbotsbury, Dorset: home of William Thomas Horner Fox Strangways.
8. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
9. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter.