TALBOT1241

Brussels

Jan 17–

My dear Henry

I am just come from the botanic garden which is dismal – the only things worth mentioning are, that Delphinium staphysagria is coming out in full bud – a plant which I never saw before & promises to be fine. Euphorbia spinosa is in that sort of bud which belongs either to last year or the present & may flower next month or next midsummer – Do you know Aralia spinosa? Scabiosa Caucasia is still in blow – Aletris – Fuchsia & Stuartia packed up in straw, while Phormium tenax, Gladiolus cardinalis & Ixia chinensis are left uncovered.

I enquired for Baptiste ¹ who I heard was gone abroad – he is not here – but I believe I can recommend you one Antonietto ² – he is known both to Saverio ³ & Thomas who give him a good character, & his wife lives housekeeper at Lord Pembrokes, ⁴ where he is to be found or heard of. M^rs Antonietto is known at Moreton ⁵ by having sent or recommended a Cook there & another to M^rs Shirley. ⁶ This is not Antonio who was to have gone with me before Saverio & who lived with the Scropes when they were in Sicily but Antonietto.

Pray write me word what your plans are – at this moment I am in doubt where you may be – There is nobody here that I think you know unless it may be M^r & M^rs Taylor who were at Munich & Edgcumbe ⁷ who is one of us & who was at Harrow –

Yr Affe

W T F S

Henry Talbot Esq –