Keswick <1>
Friday morning 7th August 1818.
I arrived here yesterday afternoon. Since you know the place, I shall say little about it. Yesterday evening I climbed up Latrigg which is exceedingly steep & slippery, whence I saw the whole of Derwentwater and about half of another lake called Bassenthwaite. I counted five islands in the lake of Keswick. The town of which you have a birds eye view, looks extremely well, owing to its being of a cool grey colour and not staring red brick. On your left is the vale of St John. Behind is Skiddaw, obstructing farther view.
Eight oclock Evg
Today I went to Lowdore Waterfall which owing to the dry weather fell far short of my expectation. I climbed up the bed of the river, and up the right hand cliff, and so on to Gowder Crags where I found many nice plants, but a thick mist and rain coming on, I was deprived of a view and returned home. Tomorrow if it is fine I am in hopes of climbing up Skidddaw. My love to Mr F. <2> I will answer Caroline’s <3> letter presently.
Yr AffteSon
W. H. F. Talbot
The Lady Elisth Feilding
31 Sackville Street
London
KESWICK 298 <4>
Notes:
1. Keswick, North Lake District.
2. Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (1780–1837), Royal Navy; WHFT’s step-father.
3. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.
4. Printed text.