Redlynch. <1>
5 Decr
My dear Henry.
I write more to let you know that I am alive & hope that you are so too than from having anything to say – it is however something to be so after having, as I did the other day, burnt my gun – the breech being blown quite out, putting me a deux doigts de la morte <2> – I thought for a moment my right eye was out. The Barrels remained in my left hand & the stock in my right till I dropped them both, to feel whether my nose was on & my eye in – all right however thank God, & seriously it was a great escape – how or why it happened I cannot guess –
We came here from Melbury <3> for 3 days shooting & have had very good sport. We return to Melb. tomorrow & shall be at Bowood <4> in less than a fortnight, & in Town by the 1st of Jany when I hope to hear of your success, & also of yr plans. Mine are still undecided but I hope to get to Rutlandshire & if possible to Sprotbro’. <5> at all events I shall be in Town by the end of Jany, to have all your papers & things in readiness by the day you come of age.
God bless you –
Yr affe Fd
C.F.
[envelope:]
1820
Wincanton, Decr five,
Henry Fox Talbot Esew
Trin: Coll:
Ilchester,- Cambridge
Notes:
1. Redlynch, Somerset, seat of the Earls of Ilchester (Barons of Redlynch). WHFT’s reply to this letter is Doc. No: 00901.
2. Within an inch of my life (at two fingers from death).
3. Melbury, Dorset: one of the Fox Strangways family homes; WHFT was born there.
4. Bowood House, nr Calne, Wiltshire, 5 mi NE of Lacock: seat of the Marquess of Lansdowne.
5. Sprotbrough Hall, Doncaster. [See Doc. No: 00819].
6. 31 Sackville Street, London residence of the Feildings, often used as a London base by WHFT.