Dear Henry
You may like to read the enclosed <1> just come, for I have not time, & tell me if you think it sound.
I meant to have written to you from Abby <2> – we had a delightful autumn altogether. I have got a volunteer communication with the Crimea & Caucasus of which I hope to avail myself. I have already got some interesting seeds & bulbs –
If you think seriously of re building a new Greenhouse – I recommend you to confer with Bella <3> who says theirs answers perfectly – with Edwd Digby <4> who thinks he built one still cheaper if not better – with Mr [Anger?] – who is recommended by Hort. Soc <5> as Greenhouse builder for being always within his estimate – & to tell Horatia <6> to look well at our new house at Abby – a simple glass house with flue – which cost under 60£.
Our great beauties at Abb this season were & are still – Convolv. Cneorum in full blow – a quantity of Cosmeas which are very gay – Mesembs – of course – Linum cæspitosum – & a stock from Madeira which I take to be Cheiranthus littoreus
Your aff
W F Strangways –
Wm Nov. 16 /38 <7>
Notes:
1. Not located.
2. Abbotsbury, Dorset: home of William Thomas Horner Fox Strangways.
3. Isabella Catherine Franklen, née Talbot (1804–1874).
4. Edward St Vincent Digby, 9th Baron Digby (1809–1889), married Lady Theresa Fox Strangways, elder daughter of the 3rd Earl of Ilchester, June 1837.
5. Horticultural Society.
6. Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810–1851), WHFT’s half-sister.
7. Written in another hand.