Letter from H. Manfield [Harry Manfield] to William Robinson

Information

Scope & content: Written from Moulton Grange, Northampton, [Northamptonshire]. Manuscript
He adds his voice to the chorus of regret on Robinson’s retirement from ‘The Garden’, voiced by Sir Herbert Maxwell; Robinson must feel gratified at the results of his labours, at the change in the gardens of today and pleasure given by his writings to so many thousands; about 20 years ago he met Robinson at his brother’s in Northampton, and Robinson spoke of a garden he knew well; Robinson was the means by which Mr William Goldring was introduced to them, and under his care and advice Manfield bought the place; some wonderful improvements to the garden were brought about along under what he ventures to call Robinsonian lines; he and his wife have hoped for some years to visit Gravetye but public duties then the war prevented it, and now he has retired he hopes he may have the opportunity, ‘trying as these pilgrimages at the shrine must be to you’