Dabton
Thornhill,
March 22^d 1868.

My dear Papa,

I was very much interested in reading Aunt Caroline’s letter – which I now return to you – She seems to have got over her journey most prosperously: & to enjoy finding herself in the South – althought it is for such a short time, as I understand she intends to be in London again in May. I mean to write to Ernestine very soon. I had a letter from Mamie today: from which I found to my surprise that they were still at Genoa. In fact they seem to have been so happy there, & so much interested with all the sights as to have felt unable to tear themselves away – I am glad also to hear that Mama was pretty well, & Ela’s cold much better – Here we are all very well, & enjoyed two or three fine days last week very much, after all the rain we had had – today we have unluckily returned to a steady downpour – which has not ceased all day: but I dare say the newly planted cabbages will approve ot it. We have not so much to boast of in the way of flowers as you – but all the common spring things are coming rapidly forward – & I even see large buds on the Sycamore trees – I should like very much to have a cutting of the new Bramble – it must be valuable flowering at this time of the year – & if you think of any other hardy thing which I have not got, it would be very acceptable – any plants requiring protection are of less use to us, as we have so little greenhouse space. John went to Edinburgh yesterday, and I do not expect him back till Wednesday, but I am not alone, as Miss Clark is still here. – Have you read all the recent accounts of the Gulf stream having become more strongly directed on these shores? & do you think it is true, & that it has really been the cause of such an unusually mild & wet winter & spring – when it seems to have been just as cold as usual in other countries – I feel inclined to think there must be something in it – & if so, I suppose we may expect a series of mild winters – The post goes early today (Sunday) so I must send this

Y^r affec^te daughter
Tilly

Write me a line when you really do start.

[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esq^r.
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wiltshire-