[The envelope for this letter is in a private collection:]
H. Talbot Esqr
31. Sackville St
London
_________________
Melbury <1>
Wednesday
Dear Henry
I enclose you two petals of Tulipa Raddi – one O. solis – is just out – but is a degenerate specimen – 5 other buds appear some promise better. the other sorts are later – the wild Gesneriana will I think be fine – tho inferior to what it was in the Val d’Erno[?]. Ornithog. Arabicum is in fine bud – & we have all the usual beauties of the season.
My Pictures will be unpacked when Harry <2> gets to London – if you are in town you can take your Ezekiel <3> & pray tell me in what condition mine are – I had my head full of pictures before I crossed the Alps but now I have quite forgot them – One I sent home in a Bag is here much admired –
I shall be in town before a month is over – Write me all the news probable & improbable – We go to Abbotsbury <4> tomorrow.
I hope Caroline & Horatia <5> are well for they are constantly enquired after by all the cousinhood.
Yrs Aff
W F S
Notes:
1. Melbury, Dorset: one of the Fox Strangways family homes; WHFT was born there.
2. Henry Stephen Fox Strangways, 3rd Earl of Ilchester (1787–1858).
3. See Doc. No: 01461, and Doc. No: 01478.
4. Abbotsbury, Dorset: home of William Thomas Horner Fox Strangways.
5. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister, and Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810–1851), WHFT’s half-sister.