My dear Henry
I begin to wonder we have not had one line from you since we parted - but I hope your Time has been occupied with working for the medal - Your Mother <1> has written you word that we have got you a very comfortable apartment in the House with us, which is more than I expected it is so difficult to find what one wants - It is very odd but very true that you hear more quickly & more correctly what is passing in Italy <2> than we do - the Censeurs <3> not allowing one word to be printed on the subject, so all sorts of reports get into circulation & one does not know what to believe - one thing however is very clear, that the Austrians for which Heaven be praised are likely to be in a great scrape - the North of Italy rising in their war & the Neapolitans making it a Guerilla war in the South will put them in a very awkward predicament, & it must be some time before the Russian Bear can get so far South. In the mean time the Royalists here are in a great Fright lest the infection should spread, & the government are is decidedly afraid to move the army to the Frontiers for fear they should go over in a Body to the Insurgents - The French Politics otherwise seem in a quiet state enough -
I am very anxious to have the result of the examination - & to know the day you have fixed for being here - we are enquiring about Houses at Berne, which I think is certainly the best spot for our head Quarters -
Do not forget to call on Auckland, Ld Winchilsea & Ld Lansdowne <4> in your way through - & if you can remember to bring me a pint Bottle of Lavender water from Savory's in Bond St [illegible] <5> as I always have it with Amber. I should be much obliged - Your mother has had a bad Cold but is better the children <6> quite well.
God bless you Yr Aff
C.F.
Monday
Your letter is just come I am glad your examination is going on so comfortably but I am very anxious indeed that you shd get the 1st MedalHenry Talbot Esqre
Trin: Coll:
Cambridge
Notes:
1. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773-1846), WHFT's mother.
2. Between 1821-1831 there was a series of revolts (Risorgimento) against local rulers: they sought political unity for Italy since much of Italy at this time was under Austrian rule.
3. Censors.
4. George Eden, 1st Earl of Auckland (1784-1849), Governor General of India; George Finch, 9th Earl of Winchilsea (1752-1826); Henry Petty Fitzmaurice, 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne (1780-1863), MP, WHFT's uncle.
5. Text obscured by seal.
6. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808-1881); WHFT's half-sister, and Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810-1851), WHFT's half-sister.