TALBOT4208

Friday March 12. –

My dear Henry

Several of the Russian seeds ¹ are already coming up, which is a sign I consider, of their being good. – & gives promise of the others. – but certainly it is splendid weather for vegetation. Humphries ² is extremely busy, sowing garden seeds & pruning the fruit trees – and two of his men are employed in dressing the Botanic garden – I feel (like the gardeners) quite in an agitation to get my own garden & the children’s ³ in order; & to sow some flower-seeds – but the weather is so fine, it makes me disposed to be idle & to saunter about in search of violets & primroses which are springing up abundantly. I have made some pictures for you, today & yesterday. 6 good Nicholls ⁴ & 1 overdone. & 2 or 3 of each of the others which you desired to have – Those on the Shutter in M^lle Amélina’s ⁵ room are all nearly destroyed by the Sunshine. This is a sad pity! you must really invent some other fixing process or some new fixing liquid.⁶

Will you tell Horatia ⁷ that her row of little tulips on the South terrace is in blow, & that she has some lovely purple crocusses & plenty of yellow ones in her garden – It is a pity she is not here to see them. – I hope she will be able soon to leave her room & enjoy this lovely weather –

Your aff^te
Constance. –