Panshanger <1>
29th January
My Dear Henry
This is a very pretty place & though only twenty five miles from London it seems as much country as York Shire could do. I wish most of my friends lived at such a comeatable distance. Everybody is talking of Sir Robert Wilson & Co. <2> – It is said he is to be cashiered, but I should think Government will hardly resort to such strong measures, as so many people take his part both in England & France, & think he only acted as un Galant homme. <3> Upon this point opinions are much divided, & people are very violent, & I am afraid will make it a party matter which it need not be. Louis 18 <4> is called at Paris Louis deux fois neuf <5> & the English soldiers there call him Dick Switch which is their way of pronouncing Dix huit. <6> I wish you would compose something for my album, it may be either grave or gay – Epigram, Epitaph, Epigraph Epic, or Elegy or Epithalalium <7> or Monody or Soliloquoy <8> or Sonnet or Madrigal <9> or Canzonet <10> or any thing you please
God Bless you My dearest
We return to town tomorrow, so direct to Sackville St <11>
Hertford Janry thirtieth 1816 Cowper <12>
H. F. Talbot Esqr
at The Revd Mr Barne’s
Castleford
Ferrybridge
HERTFORD <13>
Notes:
1. Panshanger, Hertfordshire.
2. Sir Robert Thomas Wilson (1777–1849), general and governor of Gibraltar. On 13 January 1816, he was arrested along with Michael Bruce and Captain John-Hely Hutchinson for helping Count Lavalette escape from Paris.
3. A gallant, valiant man.
4. Louis XVIII (1775–1824).
5. Louis twice nine.
6. Eighteen.
7. He probably means epithalamium, a song or poem written to celebrate a marriage.
8. A monologue in a play; it is often used by the playwright to reveal the character’s thoughts.
9. Short lyric poem, generally on the subject of love.
10. Form of 16th century ( ca.1565 and later) Italian vocal music.
11. 31 Sackville Street, London residence of the Feildings, often used as a London base by WHFT.
12. Probably Edward Spencer Cowper (1779–1823), politician.
13. Printed text.