TALBOT1578

Mount Edgcumbe ¹
Devonport.
10^th Feb^y – 1877

My dear Henry

Many thanks for your letter from Lacock Abbey. I must answer it today, in order to wish you many happy returns of your Birthday tomorrow, which I do with all my heart. You must have been very glad to get home again to the dear old place, & the Assyrians though I dare say you carried off some of them with you to Bournemouth. I hope D^r Schiemann ² will soon publish the account of his discoveries at Mycænæ [sic]. I have read all the accounts that appeared in the Times, ³ the most extraordinary & interesting I ever read. I hope people will no longer disbelieve Homer after such wonderful proofs that his heroes really existed at such a remote period!

I wish some inscriptions had been found with the bones & treasures.

Ernestine ⁴ heard from Rosamond ⁵ a day or two ago, that Matilda ⁶ had had the measles as well as the children – but very lightly, & was getting well. It is a good thing over. We were going back to Cotehele ⁷ today – having been here since Christmas – but I have got such a bad cold I must stay a little longer.

All the flowers are coming out – too soon I fear.

The Narcissus have been in full bloom the last 10 days – now the Crocus[e]s & various other things are coming out – even Fuchsias, Camellias, & the beautiful large flowering Laurustinus, in profusion.

A number of Charlie’ ⁸s Australian plants are flourishing, & have grown quite into shrubs.

That mauve Abutilon & the Benthamia keep their leaves all the winter – & the latter has had ripe fruit this year – but the birds eat it.

I hope the warming apparatus answers – Give my love to Constance & Ela ⁹ –

Ever y^r aff^te Sister
Caroline