TALBOT363

Markeaton ¹
July 26

My dear Henry

As I cannot but think the time is now propitious for sending the Cuttings of the Clematis – var –? they go in off today stuck into a piece of turnip or potatoe [sic] after the fashion recommended by poor Mary Talbot ² – she was one of those I missed more than I expected to have done, for as I grew older I valued her more, and her peculiarities did not annoy one so much –. Isabella, ³ I have seen almost nothing of for years, and we were never very simpatica ⁴ excepting about Flowers – Many of the best in the Garden we owe to her and to the Gardens of Lanelay & M. Mawr. ⁵ I have not enjoyed this summer – 1º the heat gave me a cold – & then the perpetual East winds even when the sun was so scorchingly hot, prevented me from sitting out &c – tho’ the Midges (my inveterate enemies) – also disliking apparently the said E. wind, have been less troublesome than usual! I hope however that you & yours have enjoyed yourselves. –

As to my book about which you enquire – whereat I am flattered – it is not exactly what you think. I am now trying to arrange a Journal ⁶ kept by my Aunt Mary Frampton – specially as she writes for the amusement of her Nephews, Nieces & great D^o – from early days about 1780 to 1846 the date of her death – which has made me think of interspersing therewith a great many amusing & curious letters &c from different members of the Frampton and Strangways families –. It will be most interesting if I can finish it – Henry ⁷ is very anxious on this point and desirous that it should be printed for private distribution – (not published for many reasons) – the only objection to which is the expense which is very great. – Nous verrons. ⁸ Of course you would have a copy if ever this comes to pass. –

Then I have a delicious collection of all I can get together about the “Family” only – a portfolio full waiting to be put in order with Photog^phs Autog^phs &ccc of people & places &ccc but I have nobody to help me – as I used to help my mother – I have always wished for an “intelligent slave” but in vain. If these Cuttings don’t strike pray let me know & you shall have more later. Certainly nobody has a better claim than yourself to anything we possess – let alone the pride & pleasure of contributing to the collection of an Assyriologue!⁹

With love y^r very aff^te
H G M^y

Please to tell Constance ¹⁰ that her brother ¹¹ is very comfortably well just now. N. & E. ¹² in Normandy – always happy as usual.