TALBOT2868

L. Abbey
April 25.

My Dear Henry

Is it not greivous [sic] that this Spring which I looked to for enjoying all its charms in the Country should be so very unnatural – actually things have gone in again that came out before you went away. Frosts every Night – & even the hardy gooseberry falls off the bush, & the young shoots of many forest trees turned black & withering away. The Green house chimney smokes away like Christmas, are you not greived [sic] for me? and for yourself too, for your Legumes will be frostbitten, & your exotics (that are fuori ¹) will soon be prostrate in the dust. I have no news for you but of the vegetable Kingdom – I expect some from you of the H. of Commons, or any other you are pleased to indite. I hope they will do something about the Beer Bill ² –

Y^r
E F

M^r Bowles ³ has invited us to lunch at Bremhill next Tuesday, which we have accepted. Constance ⁴ was particularly interested in the invitation

W. H. Fox Talbot Esq^r M.P.
31. Sackville Street
London