TALBOT2825

Lulworth Villa
Babbicombe [sic]
Torquay
May 15^th

My dear Henry,

It has occurred to me that perhaps you could help me on a point on which I want information, & I feel sure that if you can, you will.

I am writing amongst other articles (which I wish to get into Magazines, but cannot succeed,) a longer one on old trees, with their traditions & legends, (whenever I can get them,) which makes them more interesting. I have heard of an old Thorn, very worthy of mention, between Devizes & Marlborough, at the Village of Stanton S^t Bernard, & as the Vicar knows nothing of it, I think it may be got at through the County History of Wilts, which no doubt you possess, but I have no county histories, so must apply to my friends. Emma Llewellyn ¹ just mentioned it from Bath, but all I have yet ascertained is, that it was a Thorn called the “Annas Thorn”² of absolutely immemorial antiquity, having been mentioned as a boundary in Domesday Book, & which was living in 1829, but between that year and 1834, it was cut down by an ignorant mistake! & rooted up. If in the county History, there were any more particulars of its size, or history, such as why it was called the “Annas” & not the Stanton Thorn, & such like, it would be a help to me to be made acquainted with them, therefore I should be very much obliged if you would not think it too much trouble to look for me, & ascertain what is said of it, if it is named. Stanton St Bernard seems to be a very small village close to Alton Barnes, but perhaps there was formerly some ancient domain from which it took its name of the “Annas Thorn.”

I include in my notices of old Trees, all that I can find in any way remarkable, whatever may be their species, & do not confine myself only to such Oaks &c as are mentioned in Strutt or Gilpin; ³ & with their histories, Emily Mundy⁴ was much interested in the part she has read. Professor Balfour ⁵ of the Edinburgh Botanic Gardens, has kindly given me some account of various Scotch trees, especially connected with M. Q. of Scots, & the Regent Murray, & altogether I think I could make a nice book of it; which with another MS on quite a different subject, would sell well; but I am far too poor to publish either – That is however no reason s for neglecting to make my “Memorial trees” as perfect as I can.

Of course I have got all particulars of “Billy Wilkins” ⁶ from Ilchester, & numerous notices of trees from other friends, & from such books as I can refer to, but my Library is small.

I hope this will not be giving you too much trouble, but writing is almost the only amusement I have. Reading always, tires my head in my solitude.

Y^r aff^te cousin
Louisa Charlotte Frampton

[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esq^re
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wilts