Penrice <1>
Sept. 9. 1814.
My dear Mr F.
I hasten to answer your letter by return of post, tho’ probably I shall have to pay forfeit for not being ready for dinner. Some time ago, Uncle Harry <2> wrote to Aunt Mary <3>, to say that he would take charge of us to Harrow: <4> so she wrote to know where we should meet him, but, what is very disagreeable, has not heard from him since. So as the time is now drawing so near, it is necessary to think of some other plan. Aunt Mary has, I believe, written to Mrs Selwyn <5> some days ago, that, at all events, she might be ready to receive us. And so, I make no doubt things will go on very smoothly, tho’ from various impediments I am afraid we shall not reach Harrow till Thursday, the 15th – This is all I can tell you on the subject: – We are not yet certain which coach we are to go by, as no Glocester coach leaves Swansea till Monday, I believe. – Aunt Mary complains, that when she asked you a month ago, whether it would be proper for her to go with us herself, you answered her, on no account; & that now you write as if you thought it almost necessary. I hope this letter will remove all your fears of our getting safely to London; & indeed our journey would have been settled long ago, if Uncle Hary had not offered to take charge of us –– I shall not fail to observe the instructions you give me about paying for my washing, &c. &c. &c. for all which I am very much obliged to you.
Yrs affectionately
Henry
[address panel:]
Captain Feilding R.N.
Sir J Copley’s <6>
Sprotborough
Doncaster
Yorkshire
Notes:
1. Penrice Castle and Penrice House, Gower, Glamorgan, 10 mi SW of Swansea: home of Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot.
2. Henry Stephen Fox Strangways, 3rd Earl of Ilchester (1787–1858).
3. Mary Thereza Talbot (1795–1861), WHFT’s cousin.
4. Harrow School: WHFT attended from 1811–1815 and his son Charles from 1855-1859.
5. Charlotte, née Murray, wife of Rev Townshend Selwyn (1783–1853), botanist & Canon of Gloucester.
6. Sir Joseph Copley, 3rd Baronet (1769 - 21 May 1838), of Sprotborough Hall.