Burley, <1>
21st Decr 1816.
My Dear Mamma,
We arrived here yesterday - I have been out shooting today - we had plenty of sport but I am not sure whether I killed anything, or not - There is snow on the ground, & it freezes hard - It was cold shooting, but the walk home made us all warm - The party here consists of Miss Finch <2> - Genl Fermor, <3> Genl Bligh, <4> Mr Hailes, & Lord Aylesford; <5> - Dr Willis<6> dined here today - This evening there was a pleasing sight for all who are astronomically disposed - The moon two days old, was within five degrees of the planet Venus, which looked very pretty.
[illustration] cannot make a drawing to please myself -
θελω γραφειν σεληνην <7>
θελω δε την κυθηρην <8>
Mane caeli faciem subter describere vellem Sed chartem foedat multa litura mea <9>
The annexed representation is very imperfect & will give but a small idea of the reality -
21st Moon 2 days old 22nd moon 3 days old
[illustration] Venus [illustration] Venus
[illustration] Moon [illustration] Moon
You see the Moon receded considerably one single day from the planet -
Decr 23rd
Ld Aylesford went yesterday - It is thawing - We are going out shooting - It will be very cold - I shall not kill anything
Yr Affte Son
W. H. F. Talbot
Lady Elisth Feilding
Sackville St
London
STAMFORD 86 <10>
Notes:
1. Burley, Stamford.
2. Henrietta Finch (d. 1818), sister of George Finch, 9th Earl of Winchilsea and 4th Earl of Nottingham (1752-1826).
3. General William Thomas Fermor (1770-1833); cousin of George Finch, 9th Earl of Winchilsea.
4. Possibly General the Hon Edward Bligh (1769-1840), son of the 3rd Earl of Darnley. [See Doc. No: 00963].
5. Heneage Finch, 5th Earl of Aylesford (1786-1859).
6. Probably Dr John Willis (1751-1835), of Greatford Hall, near Stamford, Lincs, or a relation. The Willis family gained fame in the treatment of the madness of George III. Initially he was treated by Dr Francis Willis (1718-1807) and later by his sons Drs John and Robert.
7. I want to write to the moon.
8. I also want Cythera.
9. I wish I could have depicted the shape of the heavens from below at dawn but my drawing has ruined the paper.
10. Printed text.