31 B. St. <1>
16 May
My dear Henry
I admire your new art very much - Whewell <2> whom I met at Lord Rosse's <3> told me you were after something of the kind. I like the grapes best - next the ferns - the geranium & other leaves have a sort of mezzotint graining in them which is deceptive as it gives an idea of texture which it does not represent - Cannot the plain surface of the ferns be made to express the fructification or venation? Is the photographic engraving applicable to statues & architecture?
I took some specimens to Ht Mundys <4> where I dined yesterday to meet Caroline <5> - who immediately began to want some too - which I dare say she will get as she told me she was going to Lacock before you start for the Pyrenees.
This day week, the 23d I leave town for Abbotsbury <6> - can you send me the little Tacsonia up before then & I will take it with me. The Hortic. Exhibition was very fine in orchidacea on Saturday - few other plants.
I have had some beautiful Camellias & Rhods - sent up - it is too far to send whole plants up for show. I hardly think I shall get to Kew this time, it is better with seeing in summer John <7> is here going in ten days to Lanelay. <8> The Trahernes <9> are coming Wednesday next I believe. Emma <10> tells me Dryas 8petala grows wild by the sea. her Beschornerias are up & doing. I have got Catesby's Hortus <11> a good book to have - & some of the Ray Society's <12> books - Their translations from German are very indifferent - At Lord Rosse's I saw beautiful Photographs of Venice there is a pho. Exhibition somewhere I mean to go & see.
I hope Ela <13> is got well.
Yr aff
W F S
Notes:
1. 31 Burlington Street, London home of William Thomas Horner Fox Strangways.
2. Rev William Whewell (1794-1866), Master of Trinity College, Cambridge, Professor and natural philosopher.
3. William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse (1800-1867), astronomer & MP.
4. Harriot Georgiana Mundy, née Frampton (1806-1886), WHFT’s cousin & sister-in-law.
5. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808-1881); WHFT's half-sister.
6. Abbotsbury, Dorset: home of William Thomas Horner Fox Strangways.
7. John George Charles Fox Strangways (1803-1859), MP.
8. Llanely, or Lanely, Glamorganshire: home of Lady Mary Cole and Mary Thereza Talbot.
9. Charlotte Louisa 'Charry' Traherne, née Talbot (1800-1880), WHFT's cousin and her husband.
10. Emma Thomasina Llewelyn, née Talbot (1806-1881), photographer; WHFT's Welsh cousin.
11. Mark Catesby, Hortus Europæ americanus: or, A collection of 85 curious trees and shrubs, the produce of North America; adapted to the climates and soils of Great-Britain (London: J. Millan, 1767).
12. A society founded in 1844 to commemorate John Ray (1627-1705), considered to be 'the father of natural history' in Britain.
13. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835-1893), WHFT's 1st daughter.