TALBOT545

Dabton ¹
Thornhill
Feb 25^th 1876

My dear Papa

It is too good of you to have written to me for my birthday when I had failed the other day in writing to you on a similar occasion – only I had most certainly meant to do so – Thank you very much for your letter: This has been a very stormy day heavy snow almost without ceasing – & a great deal of wind – the few spring flowers that have begun to peep are all buried in the snow – but there was not much, besides snowdrops & hepaticas I should very much like to have some bits of the plants you speak of – & so would John ² – it is very fond of perrenials – & I think they answer best with us – Will you also send me a bit of the false Heliotrope – there was an Autumn flowering convolvulus, or a plant resembling a convolvulus, that you once promised me – but I do not remember its name – I think all the plants you have given me at different times are alive & have done well – I hope you are not too cold at Lacock you must not stay there too long at a time if it is very cold – for the old Assyrians will not be very comforting company I should think! The children are well & we have good accounts from the boys – Jack ³ says the Examinations begin on Monday week & he is getting nervous – so I have written to advise him not to get nervous – as I have no doubt he will get through them creditably, if not brilliantly. Connie, Mimay & Maud ⁴ send love – they (at least the 2 first) have had a half-holiday in honour of my birthday which they have spent in making Almond biscuits! – John sends you message – he has just finished his rent collections today – which he is glad of –

With much love your most affec^te daughter
Tilly

I am hard at work at a big Picture –