TALBOT8048

Dear Henry

The living of Rewe ¹ is in Lady Egremont’s gift, & I should think probably promised before this time.

I received your letter this morning as I was looking over your Etymologies ² – Does it not strike you there are two sorts of Etymologies – one false tho’ theoretically legitimate another true & unexpected – if not evident.

I have got a beautiful Iris from Abb^{y 3} – I. reticulata bulbous – rushleaved – dwarf – fragrant – imberb ⁴ – of the deepest violet – with yellow lines bearing dark spots – yellow anthers – the specimen sent is more than usually handsome having a quaternary arrangem^t instead of a ternary one – This & scorpioides alias alata are the pride of the Winter.

We have had hyacinths & Narcissus out a long time from Abbotsbury –

I hope the Clarkes ⁵ are well – I suppose they are gone home – & that all the rest of the family are in a flourishing state. We were sorry to hear that Mundy ⁶ had been very unwell – a little time ago –

Y^r aff
W^m

4 March 1860
Melbury ⁷

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