Harrow <1>
Feb: 23d 1814
My dear Mamma,
The Duke's Son you asked me about is Lord Chas Murray <2>- He is not come back yet. He went, I am told, to Portsmouth, and applied to some ship agent, to procure him a passage to America; but finding that the man had some suspicions of him; he absconded from Portsmouth; and when his tutor arrived there, which he did as soon as he could; Lord Charles was gone again - I believe he is now in town, & it is reported that he is very ill: What his motives were, for taking such a step, I can not tell - A Great many boys have run away this time; but most of them have come back again. I think I am better since I came here: I have the toothache now and then, but it does not stay long. I should like any nice Pocketbook - Pray send me my Account Book.
Yr Affte Son
WHFTalbot . . . . . . . . . .
NB I speak on Thursday 5 May: (At least most likely so) - My speech was set yesterday; so I have 10 weeks, 2 days to study it in.
Lady Elisabeth Feilding
31 Sackville Street
London
Notes:
1. Harrow School: WHFT attended from 1811-1815 and his son Charles from 1855-1859.
2. Lord Charles Murray (1799-1824), son of John Murray, 4th Duke of Atholl.