Melbury <1>
Friday
My dear Henry
I am very sorry to hear you are not coming to us so soon – for we go to Abbotsbury <2> Monday where the Framptons <3> are to meet us & I am in hopes of Mr Buckland <4> in the course of the week I do not exactly know when we return here but if you will let us know when you mean to come we will not miss you –
John <5> is going for a day to Oxford this week to take his degree in form perhaps he will meet Kit <6> there for the same purpose – I am glad you are going to cull Spring flowers on the hills of Nice a second visit is worth so much more than a first one
I have little to tell you in botany – only that to my astonishment the three Neapolitan Euphorbias tho so very succulent, seem to be invulnerable even to frost – & their acrid juice seems to keep off beasts – Veronica Buxbaumii still in full flower & not the least inclined to die. Primula Palinuri proves an everlasting blower –
While you are at Bowood <7> pray look at the Evergreens which are remarkably fine particularly stone pines & a pinaster near the head of the Cascade – & one near the path to the school – There are a number of fine deciduous trees which you will miss at this time of year –
I am curious to know Kits plan of travelling is he going for good now & to have his yacht round – & so cut the Welch people & all the bore of coming of age? Write to me at Abbotsbury –
Yr affte
W T H F S
Sherborne, Jany twenty four 1824 Ilchester, <8> –
H. Talbot Esqr
Bowood
Calne
Wilts
Notes:
1. Melbury, Dorset: one of the Fox Strangways family homes; WHFT was born there.
2. Abbotsbury, Dorset: home of William Thomas Horner Fox Strangways.
3. Lady Harriot Louisa Frampton, née Fox Strangways (1778 - 6 Aug 1844); dau of Henry Thomas Fox Strangways, 2nd Earl of Ilchester; and her husband, Lt Col James Frampton (1769- 8 Feb 1855), High Sheriff, of Moreton, Dorset.
4. William Buckland (1784–1856), Dean of Westminster & scientist.
5. John George Charles Fox Strangways (1803–1859), MP.
6. Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot (1803–1890), immensely wealthy landowner, mathematician & politician; WHFT’s Welsh cousin.
7. Bowood House, nr Calne, Wiltshire, 5 mi NE of Lacock: seat of the Marquess of Lansdowne.
8. Henry Stephen Fox Strangways, 3rd Earl of Ilchester (1787–1858).