TALBOT8898

Caswell Bay. ¹
Nov^r 21

My dear Cousin Henry

I daresay you have been wondering whence came, a book intitled [sic] “ Contributions to a Flora of Mentone” ² – it was I who sent it at M^r Llewelyn’s ³ desire – it is published by his nephew – and I intended writing before – to explain – We thought you would be interested in some of the rarer plants – especially the Frittilary [sic] which was quite new to me, but Uncle William ⁴ thought it might be the one you brought many years ago from the Col di Tenda ⁵ – I wish you would tell me what you call the Potentilla Saxifraga & whether it is the same which we have long cultivated under the common name of “the White Potentilla” – A Mentonese Gentleman who is the great Botanical Authority there, discovered it on the Mountains just behind Mentone & it is there called P. Saxifraga Ardonis after his own name – the only difference I can see is in the leaves being so much more silvery on the under side & the more compact growth induced by a mountain rock instead of the spreading plant in our garden soil. Traherne Moggridge went out to Mentone 5 years ago as a sad invalid and has derived so much benefit from the interest, induced by the lovely flora, which has found him constant interest & employment!! We are quite rejoiced at being able to give him any encouragement in so healthy a pursuit – We spent the winter of 1862–3 at Mentone & often thought of you, as in our garden, grew that lovely creeper Tacsonia Manichata [sic] which I think you once cultivated – Have you still got it? We have a plant of Vanilla in a pot for M^rs Talbot ⁶ – whenever she likes it can be sent. I wish she w^d come & fetch it!!

Your aff^te cousin
Emma Llewelyn

[envelope:]
H. Talbot Esq^r.
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham