Sackville S^{t <1>}
Monday – 13 Mar

My dear Henry

Thank you very much for the trouble you have taken about the Fourgon ^<2> – I am very glad you had so good a passage across – whatever there is to tell you – your Mother ^<3> will have communicated – so I have little to say – J Philips ^<4> has rendered up your Letter – but time has not yet enabled me to to [sic] get to the Anglo Mexican.

Your account of the Peterborough Steam conveyance is quite tempting – & the fine weather you had in crossing seems to have diminished your disgust to that means of transport – Sir Xtopher ^<5> called on us yesterday morning – & told us your cousins were certainly not coming to Town – for that no power on earth should prevent his taking your Aunt ^<6> to her Garden this Spring & nommément ^<7> for the month of April next ensuing – in the afternoon I walked with your Mother to Manchester square – where she heard in answer to her requests on this score – that il n’en etait rien, ^<8> & that they were looking for a House. So whether they will come or stay you are as able to judge as I am – the only thing quite clear is that whatever Sir Xtopher may say his desire – whether for economy or other purpose GOD knows – is – to keep them down at Penrice ^<9> which is really very hard on the younger ones who are panting for a little society – & the real truth is that the election has been his ruin, has turned his Head & emptied his Pocket. –

The moment you have formed anything like a plan as to where you shall land you will let me know that we may write to you. Then in the mean time we shall direct Corfu via Otranto. I found a book of yours on the pronounciation [sic] of Greek – & have sent it by Cortini – & your little magnifyer from Schnelerlden[?] which I hope will be right now –

Things are on the mend but people are beginning to bellow before they are out of the wood –

GOD bless you
C. F:

William Henry Fox Talbot Esq^re

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Notes:

1. 31 Sackville Street, London residence of the Feildings, often used as a London base by WHFT.

2. A kind of carriage. [See Doc. No: 01398].

3. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.

4. Prof John Phillips (1800–1874), BAAS founder & geologist.

5. Sir Christopher Cole (1770–1836), Captain, MP & naval officer.

6. Lady Mary Lucy Cole, née Strangways, first m. Talbot (1776–1855), WHFT’s aunt.

7. Particularly.

8. There was no question of it.

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