TALBOT7328

Melbury ¹
11 Dec^r

My dear Henry

I am coming to Bowood ² next week & mean to bring some of Emily’s ³ dried plants which she thinks you worthy to be possessed of. I suppose if I leave them at Chippenham they will reach you – or at any rate they would be safe at Bowood till you have an opportunity of getting them

There is a beautiful blue Exacum in flower in the stove here. & a rose Tydæa – & a very sweet scented Zygopetalum.

I hope you did not forget D^r Lindley’s ⁴ German periodical

What a pity Ministers have let themselves be drawn into new Conferences ⁵ – I suppose L^d John ⁶ will want to go to redeem his diplomatic character.

I hope M^rs T. ⁷ & all are better for Bath. pray ask M^lle Amélina ⁸ with my comp^ts whether she knows an old French poet du Bartas ⁹ – who wrote La Sémaine – or as he spells it La Sepmaine – it is a great delight & very likely to be in an old library such as you have at Lacock.

Y^r aff
W F S

[envelope:]
Henry F. Talbot Esq
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham