TALBOT2823

London
22^d Feb. 1834

Dear Sir

I will certainly try if, during the Easter Holidays, ¹ I cannot draw up a little account ² for you of the Ionian plants, and also send some specimens of them.

At present there is such an overwhelming quantity of business before parliament that it almost bewilders one: last night the house sat till a quarter past three A.M. and the discussions ³ were so important that I could not think of absenting myself from the division, but such a great sacrifice of time (if often repeated) interferes wholly with one’s ordinary occupations & habits – I am glad you approve of my plan for facilitating communication with men of science abroad ⁴ – I believe I could not myself petition the H. of Commons without irregularity, being a member; ⁵ but, if you will engage your Scientific friends to do so, I will present it, & enforce it to the best of my ability – If you would like to draw up a sketch of a petition, embodying some feasible plan, I would endeavour to get some of the Londoners as Lindley, ⁶ Bentham ⁷ &c. to take up the idea – Without a beginning, nothing is ever accomplished –

The French Flora of the Morea is contained in the great work, the Scientific description ⁸ of that country now publishing. I don’t suppose it can be had separate – It is interspersed with all sorts of things zoology, antiquities, maps plans views of scenery, engravings of ruined temples &c &c.

I am going to put up the 3 N^os of Bertoloni’s work ⁹ for you & send them to Hunneman ¹⁰ to go in his next parcel to you –

I remain, Dear Sir Yours very truly
H. F. Talbot