Cambridge <1>
April 30th 1819.
I was in hopes we might be able to make a party, to go and read in the summer somewhere near you on the continent: but I could only find Worsley, <2> who was willing to go, if we could find a tutor to our minds. In this respect however our search was wholly unavailing, as the idea appeared so outré <3> and inimical to the study of the Mathematics, that we could get no one to join us. We agreed that it was no use to take a Tutor, unless we could get a good one, and as the good ones were getting engaged very fast, we determined that no time was to be lost, and accordingly engaged Higman <4> of Trinity, taking our chance as to who might [illegible deletion] add themselves to the party, and as to where the majority should fix our destination. And on the whole, thanks to our stars, the members of our small society are sufficiently tolerable, to use an elegant phrase. We met at Higman's rooms, to decide on the locus in quo <5> over a bottle of wine: and several places were started - the Lakes - and the Norfolk coast - knowing the former pretty well, I was in pain lest it shd be carried, while on the other hand, the latter seemed no less disagreeable. Fortunately, those who maintained the eastern coast, split into two parties, one proposing Cromer, the other Lowestoffe [sic]; Victory was dubious, when somebody proposed the Isle of Wight; - I snatched at the idea, as being Paradise in comparison. Worsley did the same, and we carried it cleverly - I shall therefore have the satisfaction of being as near you as possible, and will come & spend a month with you, either at the beginning of the vacation (1st June,) or at the end) <6> Write as soon as you reach your château. - I have a presentiment of its ruralities - My love to Mr Feilding & C. &. H. <7>
Yr Affte Son
W. H. F. Talbot
Lady Elisabeth Feilding
Post Office
Brighton
Notes:
1. Trinity College, Cambridge
2. Rev Thomas Worsley (1797-1885), fellow student with WHFT at Trinity College, Cambridge; later a theologian and Master of Downing College, Cambridge.
3. Extravagant.
4. Probably Rev John Philips Higman (1793-1855), mathematician.
5. The place in which [to spend the Summer].
6. There is no opening bracket.
7. Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (1780-1837), Royal Navy; WHFT's step-father, and his daughters 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.