TALBOT5083

My dear Henry

I mean to be in town Friday & will beg you to try & introduce me to Ld Dudley ¹ of whom I want to get a few weeks more leave provided Ld Burghersh ² does not suddenly give up the post – which I suppose is a secret to the Minister as well as to me – & on the whole I would just as soon go anywhere else. Enough is as good as a feast & variety is the sauce of life.

My Florence tulips are in a state of perfection – two primrose coloured of Lady Hawardens ³ discovery – & 6 Michael Angelos – What would your Berlin botanists think of Cape Oxalis coming up after such a winter! For the first time I have been able to compare Scilla campan. & non Scriptus: & am satisfied of their diversity. Have you heard of H^y Fox’s intended marriage ⁴ –

Your Aff
W F S

The Marchesa Grimal[di]⁵ has left Florence for England with her pictures evidently speculating upon you

Henry Talbot Esq^r
Sackville Street