TALBOT4609

Mount Edgcumbe ¹
Devonport.
Saturday 12^th June 1875

My dear Henry

Please write & tell me the name of the flower I sent you the other day – if it is an Abutilon or not. It is a beautiful thing, & most ornamental in the gardens. I found yesterday a small sh–rub in flower, which I believe is one raised from the seed Charlie ² brought from Australia & of which, (if I don’t forget,) I shall enclose a flower.

I also found in bloom one of his, [illegible deletion] which I take to be the one you describe in the Conservatory at Lacock – a Beaufortia³ with crimson flowers – like a bottle brush; but it is a very small plant, only put out this Spring. One of the Eucalyptus trees, planted 3 or 4 y^rs ago, is now in full blossom – & in general, everything this year is in the greatest perfection.

Val ⁴ has become quite a botanist – (w^h he never was originally –) He has got a very nice book about English wild flowers, by Anne Pratt, ⁵ in 6 vols. full of extremely well drawn & coloured plates – & he makes the children bring him all the wild plants they find – & then makes them out, & shews them the names & pictures. Did I tell you Ernestine ⁶ was going to Lansdowne H^{e 7} next week for a little visit, & peep of London? She intended going on Tuesday but as the Bishop holds a Confirmation at Maker Church on that day, she will probably put of [sic] her departure for a day. My love to all –

Y^r aff^te Sister
Caroline

[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esq^re
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham