TALBOT2605

My dear Henry

The manuscript is very safe. Think of Aunt Harriet ¹ discovering the date! by the merest chance in the world, looking for Sheringtons in the Hist. of Norfolk, she happened to light upon Dionise de Mountchensy, the very person it was composed for – & some grant to her by Henry 3^{rd 2} which at once fixes the time –

I have a tree carnation flowering in my garden,

Y^r aff^te sister
Horatia

W. Henry Fox Talbot Esq^re M.P.
31 Sackville Street
London