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Document number: 522
Date: 15 Nov 1810
Recipient: FEILDING Elisabeth Theresa, née Fox Strangways
Author: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Collection number historic: LA10-12
Last updated: 29th July 2010

à Rottingdean <1>
le 15 de Nov.bre 1810

Ma chere Maman,

J’ai peur que vous n’avez reçue qu’ une de mes lettres: <2> J’ai été si occupé que je n’ai pas pu vous ecrire plutôt – Hier étoit Tythe Feast, et je m’amusois à lire les beaux livres de Monsieur Hooker. <3> Toute la compagnie s’assembla dans la chambre où nous apprenons nos leçons, et nous étions dans l’appartement de Monsieur Hooker, où nous dînames, et dejeunames et soupames – Depechez vous de venir à Brighton, parceque j’ai grande envie de vous revoir, et de vous montrer mes beaux pierres transparens que j’espere voir polis aujourd’hui ou demain.

Je suis votre fils affectueux
W. H. F. Talbot

Comment se portent mes sœurs, <4> et M. Feilding, <5> et Betty? <6>

Lady Elisabeth Feilding
31 Sackville Street
London


Translation:

Rottingdean
15th November 1810

My dear Mama,

I am afraid that you have only received one of my letters: I have been so busy that I could not write to you earlier – It was the Tythe Feast yesterday and I enjoyed reading Mr Hooker’s beautiful books. The entire group assembled in the room where we have our lessons and we were in Mr Hooker’s room where we had dinner, lunch and supper. Hurry to come to Brighton because I am longing to see you again and to show you my beautiful transparent stones which I hope to see polished either today or tomorrow.

I am your affectionate son
W.H.F. Talbot

How are my sisters and Mr Fielding and Betty?

Notes:

1. Rottingdean, East Sussex, 4 mi SE of Brighton: WHFT attended school there from 1808–1811.

2. Letters not located.

3. Rev. Thomas Redman Hooker (1762-1838), WHFT's tutor at Rottingdean and a most interesting character. His career prospects were seemingly cut short when his father lost his fortune to an industrial accident. Hooker became the private secretary to the Duke of Dorset, learned French, took Holy Orders and through the Duke's influence established an influential school. His pupils included the nephews of the Duke of Wellington and of Napoleon Bonaparte. He was also active in the local smuggling ring. See Arthur R. Ankers, revised by Michael Smith, Sussex Cavalcade (Sevenoaks: Hawthorns Publications, Ltd., 1992), pp. 97-100.

4. 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.

5. Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (1780–1837), Royal Navy; WHFT’s step-father.

6. 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.

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