TALBOT8711

Melbury ¹Dorchester
19 May 1863

My dear Henry

This is a difficult climate to live in – or to prophesy about – which nobody can deny. We have been enjoying perfect summer an old fashioned May month when lo we have a thermometer now down below 48 – a N.E. wind – driving storm trees crashing & falling in all directions – & the Yeomanry troop out at drill in the Park!

This morning comes a letter from Abb. ² with news of an Aloe going to flower on the terrace growing rapidly night & day & to flower in a week – with this weather if it survives – it will take a month to blow – I mean to go & see it & if you are not gone abroad you had better come & see it too. It is a new sort (supposed) given me years ago by Martius ³ whose garden you will find very rich now I fancy.

They send me some great Mesembr: flowers which I am studying with Harvey’s ⁴ book – more satisfactory than Howarths & Ligustreum Peloponnesiacum a mouthful for a novice. Rhodod. Gibsoni the exact point of junction of Rhod. & Azalea – as much one as the other – & Scilla hyacinthoides which had not flowered for some years.

Have you studied the Dia Fornaceæ – which seem an object of scientific curiosity now. I hope Matilda ⁵ & all were well

Y^r aff
W^m

I forgot to tell you I want to know the Davenport Arms ⁶ – Charlotte T. ⁷ tells me she thinks you must have them on some seal or other chattel.

[envelope:]
Henry F. Talbot Esq
Athenæum
London