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Document number: 04850
Date: 21 Jul 1815
Recipient: FEILDING Elisabeth Theresa, née Fox Strangways
Author: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Collection number historic: LA15-005
Last updated: 18th June 2007

Harrow <1>

July 21st 1815.

My Dear Mamma,

Your letter is rather Laconic: for you do not say whether you have n any objection to my plan. I do not suppose it will make any difference in the day I leave Harrow, for I had much rather wait till Tuesday, than hurry away on Monday. I am very sorry that I am not to see you for any time, before I go to Penrice <2>- pray write me an explicit account of what is to become of me, for I wish to know Exceedingly. - I obtained a prize this morning, it was, Cicero de Naturâ Deorum. <3> - I should like very much to be confirmed in the Holidays.- We were tried in Latin yesterday; - our Trial this time being Four of Juvenals Satires, <4> & lots of Pindar. <5> - We all did pretty well, for he was easy.- Kit <6> is to be placed tomorrow; so you may desire Sir C. L. <7> when he comes, to offer up a hecatomb <8>to Jove, for his success. I have no doubt he will "get in" very high. I have as usual nothing to say, except to repeat that, (important personage as you may think me) It is of great importance to me to know what I am going to do, & be done with.

I remain,
Yr Affte Son,

W H F Talbot

The Lady Elisabeth Feilding
31 Sackville St
London


Notes:

1. Harrow School: WHFT attended from 1811-1815 and his son Charles from 1855-1859.

2. Penrice Castle and Penrice House, Gower, Glamorgan, 10 mi SW of Swansea: home of Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot.

3. Marcus Tullius Cicero, De Naturâ Deorum (44 AD).

4. Decimus Junis Juvenalis, Satires (ca. 120 AD).

5. Pindar (ca. 518-438 BC), Greek poet.

6. Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot (1803-1890), immensely wealthy landowner, mathematician & politician; WHFT's Welsh cousin.

7. Sir Charles Lemon (1784-1868), politician & scientist; WHFT's uncle.

8. A sacrifice.