Castleford, <1>
4th Nov. 1816 –
My Dear Mamma,
I rather think that Mr Barnes <2> could sign that certificate, as well as anybody else, altho’ he is an Oxford man – He says he does not know, for that the Oxford customs are different – Pray send an elucidation – Gordon went to Cambridge nearly a fortnight ago – He was a great loss to us – The author of your Epitaph on Erasmus, <3> who makes [vermitres?] short, in order to make [bonus?] long, proceeds on the principle “ πας ο υψων εαυτον <4> &c. &c –
Did you ever hear the story of the boy, who called the Euphrates – Euphrãtes – & being condemned by his master to write two Latin verses on his mistake, said – Tessus ad Euphratem veniens puer improbus olim, Ut cito transiret, corripuit pluvium <5> – I went to Leeds on Saturday on purpose to see Mr Gott’s <6> cloth-manufactory, but when I got there, I found it was impracticable to procure admission, he is so particular – The road was more dirty than you can conceive – I have heard nothing of Betty <7>for a long while – I am very sorry the Colchester man does not do, for I should have liked the vicinity of the sea –
When do you leave Redlynch? <8> I see by the frank, Lord Auckland <9> has been there – When is Mr –F– <10> going as you say to Burley? <11>
I remain Yr Affte Son
W. H. F. Talbot
The Lady Elisth Feilding
Redlynch
Wincaunton
Somerset
Notes:
1. Castleford, Yorkshire, 10 mi SE of Leeds, where WHFT went to school from 1815-1816.
2. Rev Theophilus Barnes (1774 –1855), of Castleford.
3. Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus (1466–1536), Dutch humanist and theologian.
4. This probably derives from οτι πας ο υψων εαυτον ταπεινωθησεται, For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased, Luke 14:11.
5. He probably means ‘the naughty boy, once upon a time crossed quickly and seized the rainy thing’ [that is, he dived in and swam across].
6. Benjamin Gott, a major figure in the history of wool industry.
7. Elizabeth Vickery ‘Betty’, WHFT’s governess. When she died in autumn 1835, WHFT paid to have a gravestone placed at Cutcombe, Somerset, inscribed: 'Erected to the Memory of Elizbth Vickery his kind & faithful nurse by Henry Fox Talbot of Lacock Abbey in the country of Wilts Esqre'; the stone's inscription is still readable - See Doc. No: 03205.
8. Redlynch, Somerset, seat of the Earls of Ilchester (Barons of Redlynch).
9. George Eden, 1st Earl of Auckland (1784–1849), Governor General of India.
10. Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (1780–1837), Royal Navy; WHFT’s step-father.
11. Burley, Stamford.