London
9 May 1832
Dear Mr F.
Caroline <1> & I consulted the Heavens last night, but to little purpose, since we did not discern there the event of this morning. The newspapers will inform you of all that is known & I have not heard any thing authentic beyond what they say.
I hope our poor emigrants <2> will do well. I wish you could tell T. Moore <3> to make them a present in my name of five pounds worth of extra provisions, if there is no chance of the Captain’s diminishing their allowance in consequence, which I hope he cannot, but that they will have their stock under their own controul <sic>.
I think Potatoes would be the best thing to give them.
The sky was beautifully serene for the occultation of Saturn last night. I borrowed a good telescope & Car. & I observed it together. The immersion took place at 9h 7m & the emersion at 10h 7m. On referring to the newspaper I find that this corresponds exactly with the prediction. We saw the ring very plain. On emerging the planet was very pale till it was at some distance from the Moon, which I attribute to the moon’s atmosphere not seeing any other cause for it. Let me know if the observn succeeded with you.
Yours affly
Henry Talbot
Notes:
1. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.
2. See Doc. No: 02349.
3. Thomas Moore (possibly d. 1854), member of the Lacock Parish Vestry.