TALBOT614

Sprotborough ¹
21^st. September 1814

My Dear Henry

Would it not be singular if I were to become a botanist through affection? Whenever I see a plant that seems to me either rare or curious, it immediately brings you to my Mind, & I now for your sake take an interest in every plant Herb that grows, from the Cedar of Lebanon to the Hyssop on the wall: There is a most beautiful flower in bloom here in the hot house, they call it the Tyger Lily, but its more like an Iris. It is a bright scarlet & speckled like a Tyger, and remains in blow only three hours, but a fresh blossom comes out almost every day. Do you know it? - M^r Feilding ² & Sir Joseph ³ & the two little Girls ⁴ went last Thursday to Pomfret⁵ to see the Balloon go up, but as I have seen M^r Sadler ⁶ go up three times this year already, I did not go, but was satisfied with my recollections. M^r F. is gone to Burley ⁷ to take leave of Lord Winchilsea ⁸ before he goes to Marseilles where he is to spend the Winter. Lady Cecil ⁹ & Sir Joseph are going to Tours in Touraine. Pray tell me how Harrow ¹⁰ agrees with you & whether you remember your Aunt Mary's ¹¹ advice about eating Meat & drinking Porter or Strong Beer, if you can get it.

I pity Christopher ¹² very much, is he tolerably reconciled? Had you any adventures in the Coach between Bristol & Salisbury, or any entertaining companions? Who did you see during the Short time you were in Sackville Street? I like the Circæa lutetiana for the sake of a pretty name, Enchanter's Nightshade.

Every aff^yyours
Theresa ¹³

Is Jane ¹⁴ as fond of Seals & Franks as ever?

W H F Talbot Es^qr
Rev^d D^r Butler's ¹⁵
Harrow
Middlesex
21 Sept. 1814.