TALBOT8482

Abb^{y 1} –
13 Dec^r

My dear Henry

I have long thought it was time I should write to you & now doubting whether you are still at Millburn ² I think it safer to direct to Lacock.

We are here enjoying a grand storm, indeed we have had plenty of them this season, & rain every other day at least, for three months.

The weather is so mild we have plenty of flowers Narcissus Tazetta & paper, Convol. Cneorum, Lithosperm rosmarinifol. Medicago arborea<.> Oxalis cernua. Pittosporum. Brugmansia. Crocus Imperati<.> Campan – muralis & fragilis. Gazania – Cistus – Escallonia – Gualtheria ³ – Azara integrifolia &c – &c – all in flower. I even saw a dwarf yellow Iris – out – I have been out but once being kept to the house for 3 months – on account of the illness I had after coming from Wales – where we were most part of August.

We had near an inch and a half rain fall one night. I wish you could come here & see the Aloes on the terrace they are grown so fine – they stand wet far better than even the hardiest Cacti.

Can you come to Melbury ⁴ for Xmas? I have a nice little collection of Ferns there now. Some how I can neither get Bougainvillea nor Taxonia manicata to do. I want to hear something of your Swiss tour – what you saw & found – & brought home. & where you went.

I hope you can give a good account of M^rs Talbot ⁵ & Ela ⁶ & Rosamond ⁷ – the Clarks ⁸ I suppose are going on prosperously. What is Charles ⁹ occupying himself with? would he come to Melbury in case you cannot? we hope Noel ¹⁰ is coming –

Jane ¹¹ as usual was not at home when we were in Wales ¹² but she came for a few days to Melbury – & seemed pretty well.

Y^r Aff^te
W^m