TALBOT3256

M^t Edgcumbe ¹
Thursday April 21^st 1836

My dear Henry

Thanks for your long list of flowers – I shall turn it to account, & I have likewise just received a parcel of plants from Carclew ² for my Pergola I am quite disappointed by your saying you cannot come here – I had quite made up my mind beforehand that you would, & was longing to shew you my garden, & for Constance ³ to see this lovely place – It is just budding into beauty, & consider that perhaps we may never again have such a good opportunity of receiving you here, independently of the uncertainties of life – I would not urge it if you were at Laycock Abbey, but from Southampton the distance is so trifling, particularly by steam – Perhaps you will think better of it when you have seen Constance, tho’ I should be very sorry she came, unless she felt up to it – I have not mentioned the subject to her, tho’ I have written, & received a nice long answer today – But I am sure it would do her a world of good, & you too, who always require change of air. – I shall say no more at present as I must go & superintend the planting of a young Bay tree – If you see Uncle William ⁴ ask him if he ever received a letter I enclosed to him for L^d Cathcart ⁵ –

Y^r aff^te Sister –
Caroline

Bimbo ⁶ is quite well & wants to see Ela ⁷ again – He has a ready wit – The other day at desert L^d V– ⁸ said to him “Now Bimbo I am going to drink your very good health” – Upon which as quick as thought he answered “I will like to drink yours!”

W. Henry Fox Talbot Esq^r
31 Sackville Street
London