TALBOT9616

Machralin ¹
March 8

My dear Henry

I hear from Ela² that you are just now at Lacock so perhaps you will be more able to assist me in a Q^y about a word which I find in the Will of Dame Julian – Wife of Sir John Mundy K^ht 1537. – She leaves to one of her sons her “Nutte with a Cover”. What is a Nutte? – It ought to be a kind of Cup, I suppose, as it has a Cover?³ She leaves to another her “White Silver pott with a Cover” – and what I sh^d like much to have her “Flower with rubyes”. –

I know that you used to hold correspondence & study old Inventories with my Mother⁴ so my mind has turned naturally to you in this instance. At any rate I am always glad when anything incites me to have some intercourse with you.

How is your garden and Hothouse &c &c Have you anything pretty in blow now. We are still cold here, but so are our neighbours elsewhere from all accounts.

If you know where Jane Nicholl⁵ is, please to tell me. I can get no answer to my letters & have no idea whether she is still at Clifton or at Mill. nor how she is. All send messages according to their respective relationships & Emily⁶ is very sorry never to have seen you!

Y^r aff Cousin
HGM^y