Harrow <1>
March 10. 1814.
My dear Mamma,
I am much obliged to you for the things you sent me yesterday – you cannot think how sorry I am, that I am not in Town, for I should have had such pleasure, in viewing those numerous books of Engravings, which were in Mr Shaws Library. I see that the sale finishes tomorrow. Do you remember that a little while ago, you promised to buy me a Hortus siccus, <2> when you should meet with a nice one? I wish you could buy me the one, No 522. if it is cheap. I have no idea, what those sort of things cost, though I should not suppose, that brokers or those sort of people would value them very highly. – The weather is very curious; it is now snowing fast, as it has done regularly every day. – I hear that an old woman has been put in prison for prophesying that when this weather ceases, the world is to be at an end.
Yr Affte Son
WHFTalbot –
Turn over
A friend of mine, Charles Perceval,<3> would be very much obliged to you Mr F. <4> to get for him, No 426, The Coin collector’s Guide: for, being a great antiquarian, he has set his heart upon it – He desires me to say, that he would give as much as a Guinea & a Half for it. –
Lady Elisabeth Feilding
31 Sackville Street
London
Notes:
1. Harrow School: WHFT attended from 1811–1815 and his son Charles from 1855-1859.
2. Collection of dried plants.
3. Hon. Charles George Perceval (1796-1858), son of 2nd Lord Arden, Rector of Calverton, Bucks.
4. Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (1780–1837), Royal Navy; WHFT’s step-father.