TALBOT3601

June 30.

My dear Henry

We shall be only too proud to send a Cutting of the Clematis which you are pleased to admire so much but the Gardener says it will not do now. You shall have it without fail later.

I am inclined to think he is right – tho’ I do not by any means always give into the stereotyped opinion about things only growing at conventional periods of the year! – which you will no doubt consider a very heterodox idea – because the said Clematis is only about 3½ feet high – and seems all small shoots or branchlets so I don’t see how it w^d take root – It blew bigger than its body I thought if you comprehend that!

I was so glad to hear of Rosamond’s ¹ escapade to London the other day which Emily ² enjoyed extremely & I hope R. did also. Her next exploit must be to come here next month or rather in August or Sept^r. We depend on a visit then, & it is but her duty to come & see a pair of old Uncles & Aunts – that is not good English because there are only 1 pair – but I don’t see how to express it better & having got into the hobble must leave it for better for worse.

Y^r aff^te
H G Mundy

Surely the Peerages are wrong in saying your Mother died 1840 – because we were in Sicily at the time w^ch was 1846.7. –

Best love to C. ³ – M^r M^{y 4} has been very tolerably well but just now is not so – I think however it will pass off as has been the case before. He never likes Thundery weather.

P.S. I marvel what a “Sinologue” ⁵ may be? In the French Biographie Universelle – Sir George Staunton ⁶ is said to be “un sinologue anglais” – As he was so learned in languages &c &c I suspect you may be the same? Only think, if I should have a Kinsman who is a Sinologue!! I cannot find the word in our French dictionary so am obliged to remain ignorant.

My Brother Henry ⁷ is better I am glad to say. –