TALBOT3415

Lacock Abbey
Friday

My dear Henry

We seem indeed to have got some true Summer weather, which I had scarcely thought would visit us at all this year – Part of yesterday was rather oppressive even here – & today seems quite hot as far as I can judge from the air in-doors – for I have not yet been out – My letter yesterday would not tell you much news after you had seen the one which I wrote to Harriot ¹ – I am much pleased that you found time to call in Queen Anne St ² – How did you think Harriot looking, & is Emily ³ improved by her visit to Blackheath? – I saved Cap^t Smith’s Seeds yesterday, with the exception of one kind, the New South Wales Acacia – which he directs to have a previous soaking in hot water – boiling water he says, but I think it will not be prudent to make it so hot as that – There are but seven or eight kinds in all – M^rs Awdry has sent you a small present of bulbs from Bombay which Reid ⁴ has planted in pots. – There are eight of them, but they appear only to be of three sorts – unluckily there are no names sent with them. – The printed papers in which they were packed have some things in curious characters [illegible deletion] mingled with the English articles – They resemble some writing which you once shewed me & told me was either Chinese or Japanese – I have preserved them for you –

Why is not poor Caroline ⁵ allowed to come up to London? – it seems so natural for her to wish it – and the torment of anxiety at such a distance as M^t Edgcumbe ⁶ must be very great – but I suppose there must be good reason for refusing her –

I shall send this short epistle in the Basket as it is written chiefly to tell you of M^rs Awdry’s bulbs & is not worthy of postage. –

Dear Henry your affectionate
Constance