TALBOT3380

Belton

Tuesday Oct^r 18^th 1836

My dear Henry

I have not heard anything about you or Constance ¹ for an age but supposing you are still at Markeaton, ² I shall send this there, although I have not much to say – The principal object of my letter is to announce to you that the Bulbs have left M^t Edgcumbe ³ at least a week ago, & must now therefore be arrived at Laycock Abbey – When we arrived here, the garden was, & indeed still is, perfectly émaillé ⁴ with flowers of every colour of the rainbow – I never recollect to have seen so many different kinds in blow so late in the year – but I suppose this place being so far North, the plants blossom later & remain longer in flower – I think you will like to have a list of them as far as I know their names, & recollect that every sort was in the greatest profusion –

1^o Two or 3 kinds of real Roses, besides the China –
2^o Calceolaria –
3^o Salvia splendens –
4^o Lobelia Cardinalis –
5^o Purple & white Petunia –
6^o Scarlet, lilac & purple Verbena
7^o Variety of Stocks –
8^o Variety of Mallows –
9^o Clarkia pulchella –
10^o Chinese Larkspur –
11^o White Clematis, (coming into flower)
12^o Mignonette –
13^o Heart’s ease
14^o Splendid Scarlet geraniums – whole beds full
15^o Various coloured Holyhocks <sic> –
16^o Magnificent Dahlias, of every possible variety of form & hue –

On the wall was likewise a Bignonia in blow, & a Magnolia in full flower – The latter blooms at M^t E– I think in August – such is the difference of climate. – The last account I had of Horatia ⁵ was a very good one – but I have not heard now for some days – I suppose they are en route – Her Leamington visit did her good – We were unimaginably snug & happy – Pray tell me something of them & you, & of your respective movements – L^d Valletort ⁶ was very much better when he left Leamington, but most unfortunately the day after his arrival here, he hurt his foot in getting over a gate, & had a fit (tho’ a slight one), of gout in consequence – He is now however much better, & went out driving yesterday for the first time – Give my kindest love to Constance & a kiss to Ela ⁷

Ever y^r aff^te Sister

Caroline