Cambridge <1>
Febry 19th 1819.
I have spoken my declamation about the Christians, and shall not have any more to write. The smelling-bottle is indeed of a strange shape: it is not at all what I ordered. Tell C & H. <2> their explanat[ion]<3> is right. I suppose Mr Lamb <4> is sure of being returned. I saw an extract from “Human Life” <5> in the paper, which I did not think good. I have seen Campbell’s British Poëts <6> – what is thought of it? Let me know exactly when you go to Brighton: also when Mr F. <7> goes there, if he is going at all. Is he? Have you seen Kit <8> since he returned to Fulham? Let me have some family news. Will Richard <9> be in Town to execute my commissions, if I have any? Tell Mr F. I wish he would send me some money – 5 or 10 £. My love to him & Car. & Hor.
Yr Affte Son
W. H. F. Talbot
Lady Elisabeth Feilding
31 Sackville St
London
Notes:
1. Trinity College, Cambridge.
2. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister, and Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810–1851), WHFT’s half-sister.
3. Written off the edge of page.
4. George Lamb (1784–1834), politician and writer. On the death of Sir Romilly in 1819 [see Doc. No: 00831], he was persuaded to stand for Westminster and was elected.
5. James Beresford, Miseries of Human Life (London, 1806).
6. Probably Thomas Campbell, Specimens of the British Poets, with Biographical and Critical Notices and an Essay on English Poetry (London: J. Murray, 1819).
7. Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (1780–1837), Royal Navy; WHFT’s step-father.
8. Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot (1803–1890), immensely wealthy landowner, mathematician & politician; WHFT’s Welsh cousin.
9. Richard, a servant.