My dear Henry

You shall have a branch of the Aloe as soon as one appears in fruit – from the slow development tho’ perfect, I remark in the plant I hope to have a specimen with bud, flower, & capsule at once on a branch. I have had a bud open perfectly in water – & put out stamens.

We drove to Kew yesterday – it was desperate hot & I did not go into any house but the Palaces & saw some curious Aroids. ^<1>

From the size of some American trees that still remain one regrets the loss of many that were blown down some years ago – & would have been fine timber trees now.

I did not see either of the Hookers. ^<2>

Y^r Aff^e
W^m

I go into Burlington House to consult the Libraries now & then – I am surprised to find the Linnean ^<3> deficient in some books of good character & Standing I should have expected there.

W^m

London 30 July

We shall be most happy to accept your invitation ^<4> but I will write again to say when we can come –

[envelope:]
Henry F Talbot Esq
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham

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Notes:

1. Arum-like plants.

2. Sir William Jackson Hooker (1785–1865), Prof & botanist and his son Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker (1817–1911).

3. The Linnean Society and its library occupy part of Burlington House, Piccadilly.

4. See Doc. No: 08854.