Ilfracombe <1>
4th August - 1819.
About 36 hours travelling brought me here from London. On my arrival I found the whole party assembled, & that Worsley <2> had taken lodgings for me. I like the place very well, and the party is very agreeable. Worsley and I made an excursion to Linton or Lynemouth which is about 20 miles from here to the East. We found it a beautiful country. In clear weather I can see the villages & even roads on the Welsh coast: but all I have yet been able to recognize is Worms Head, Rossilly village, & the Mumbles light house. - Tell Mr Feilding <3> that I changed my napoleons very advantageously, for 16s 4d each. - when I was in town I dined with Ld Winchilsea <4> where I met Miss Feilding <5> and Gilbert Heathcote. <6> - I went to see the panorama of Venice which is pretty good. I also saw at an engraver's several specimens of Bank Notes which had been sent to the committee of the House of Commons - I travelled as far as Salisbury with a warm partizan of Bennet's - The election was going on actively there. My love to all -
Yr Affte Son
W. H. F.Talbot
À Miladi
Miladi Elisabeth Feilding
Poste Restante
Rouen
France
Notes:
1. Ilfracombe, Devon.
2. Rev Thomas Worsley (1797-1885), theologian & Master of Downing College, Cambridge.
3. Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (1780-1837), Royal Navy; WHFT's step-father.
4. George Finch, 9th Earl of Winchilsea (1752-1826).
5. Possibly Matilda Feilding (1775-1849), WHFT's aunt.
6. Sir Gilbert John Heathcote (1795-1867), later 5th Baronet and 1st Baron Aveland.