Cambridge <1>
7th Decr 1820
My Dear Mr Feilding,
I received your letter <2> this morning, which I read with the most painful feelings - Were you not hurt at all? I cannot conceive how such a thing could happen, unless it was that inflammable priming powder which caught. I always thought there was danger in that contrivance. It was indeed by your account a most wonderful escape, & we have to thank the God of all mercy - I have been living a very quiet life, but I cannot say I shall be sorry when the examination is over - I should not wish to have the time deferred, altho' I should be thereby better prepared. I lit upon a method the other day in fluxions, which appears to me new, & very curious. When I have leisure, I mean to give it a more attentive consideration. - Montgomery <3> called here the other day; he says he has won two guineas from you, on his brother's marriage. The defection of the aldermen Sir W. Domville & Sir Claudius Hunter <4> is I think the most amusing thing that has happened of late - It bodes very ill to the Ministers - When asked who he would have for ministers, he is reported to have said "Anybody - we cannot change for the worse." This from one of their most staunch adherents!
Yours ever afftly
W.H.F. Talbot
Captn Feilding R.N.
Melbury <5>
Notes:
1. Trinity College, Cambridge.
2. See Doc. No: 00900.
3. Rev. George Stephen Molyneux Montgomerie (1790-1850), close friend of Talbot family, artist, Rector of Garboldisham, near Thetford, Norfolk.
4. Sir William Domville, a London bookseller and Lord Mayor in 1813, and Sir Claudius Stephen Hunter (1775-1851), alderman 1804.
5. Melbury, Dorset: one of the Fox Strangways family homes; WHFT was born there.