TALBOT205

13. Great Stuart St: ¹

Wednesday.

My dear Henry

I sent your Plant to the Botanic Garden between 2 and 3 today – with particular instructions to deliver it into the hands of M^r Macnab ², if the Professor ³ himself was not at the Gardens – Neither one nor the other being there, Donald very judiciously delivered it at the Professors house. So I have no doubt it will fall into the right hands with as little delay as possible – I am disappointed that you did not send one of those curious Starry plants at the same time – you really might shew one to this excellent Professor Balfour, who has taken so much interest in it. I hope you will not come away without one, but take charge of it yourself & bring it to Edinburgh. Thanks for sending us M^rs Nicholl’s interesting letter, ⁴ but how sad to hear that Caroline ⁵ suffers so much from Neuralgia in her hands! – it is particularly unfortunate that any circumstances should prevent her trying what Cannes (or some other dry warm climate) might do for her relief – The hamper of game & butter & vegetables is very acceptable – I think you had no railway rug to keep you comfortable on the journey to Edinburgh – Mine was left behind at Lacock by mistake – so if you like to make use of it, it will be found on one of the shelves of the oak mantle in the Stone Gallery – in the closed division close to the door of the Tapestry bedroom ( Rosamonds ⁶). It is the only article of the kind in that cupboard – in color it is black one side, and scarlet the other, as far as I can recollect – Pray bring us the latest news of the 4 Pussy cats – Wilkins ⁷ writes word that they are getting quite friendly with his son John. –

We have good accounts from Matilda ⁸, and hear pretty often – In her letter today she mentions the death of M^rs Maxwell ⁹ of Gribton – at Speddoch ¹⁰. It is a very melancholy thing – It is supposed that she caught cold when driving out in an open carriage – She had an alarming attack of inflammation, was thought to be recovering, when she had a relapse – and died, leaving her one child only six months old. – I believe many people kill themselves by their own acts of imprudence & reckless exposure to all sorts of weather –

Charles ¹¹ had a good journey from London last night, and arrived here at 9 o’clock this morning –

He appears brisk and well –

your affectionate

Constance –

We had quite a hot day yesterday, with high wind, & heavy rain at night – today bright, but much colder.