TALBOT9512

Markeaton
S. Patricks Day!

[in another hand?] 17^th March

My dear Henry

I believe you are still at Lacock – and indeed much hope this is the case, as it would be very rash – let alone very disagreable [sic] – to be travelling in such bitterly cold weather. Noel & Emily¹ find it ungenial even on the Corniche. They are now, we suppose, at Genoa. I shall be glad when Constance et C^nie2 have left Venice for Florence &c – I am afraid that Ela & Rosamond³ will forget how to walk! – Charles⁴ wrote me a very pleasant architectural letter not long ago – proposing however soon to quit his Family & proceed to Munich. –

My object especially in writing today is to ask whether you possess amongst your various Horticultural Trees – or shrubs? – a Medlar? We want to get some Cuttings both of Medlars and Quince to graft into some very healthy young Pear stocks w^ch we happen to have, but nobody in this neighbourhood has either one or the other, so we do not exactly know how to proceed. Your splendid Quinces made me think of Lacock – and at any rate no harm is done by asking as I know you w^d bestow some Cuttings if you have a Medlar – No time should now be lost the Gardener says – so if you send any please to do so as soon as possible & by Passenger Train. It is excessively cold here – a Derbysh^e winter is very trying & I have been shut up for some weeks. – M^r Mundy⁵ desires kind remembrances. We are redolent of Narcissus, Jonquils &c and Van Tholl Tulips from your friend [Roezen?]. Noel & E. visited his garden at near Haarlem this time last year, when the Fields of Hyacinths were in full bloom. They enjoyed & admired it all extremely.

Y^r aff^te Cousin
H. G^a Mundy

Dear Mary Talbot⁶ used to say that grafts sh^d be stuck into a Potatoe [sic] or Turnip before being sent in a parcel – No doubt however you & y^r Gardener know all about this. Remember me to E^d Nicholl⁷ please.

[envelope:]
[blindstamp on rear flap:] Markeaton Hall, Derby
H. F. Talbot Esq^re
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wilts