Harrow. June 20. 1812
My dear Mamma,
The fulminating powder which I made is of a very different nature to that one in Aunt Mary's letter, nor is it the twentieth part so dangerous- In the first place, heat is the only method by which you can experience its effects, and the heat must be at least twice that of boiling water therefore it cannot explode by accident- The powder she describes must either have been hyper-oxymuriate of Potash; or one of the Metallic fulminating powders, which are so dangerous, that they can never be removed out of the vessel in which they were made, without Exploding; and most likely a small portion had got between the cork and the neck of the bottle, which would infallibly explode by the friction of opening it- Besides I never used more than about 10 grains at a time and mine (not being perfectly pure) had not such powerful detonatic effects--- Will Mrs Feilding be able to come to see me on 3rd Speechday, the 2d of July? It seems very dull to me to walk nearly alone whilst so many others are enjoying their holiday with their friends-- Yesterday was Governors Speechday, a private one to which none but the School and the governors are admitted- The Captain alone (Lloyd) speaks a speech of his own Composition, and then dines with the governors and receives a prize book, generously worth about 10 Guineas- The governors are at present
The Marquis of Abercorn
Lord Northwick
....Moody Esq
....Page Esq
....Gray Esq
I had the earache this morning so I did not go up to School.
I am very glad to hear Miss Grant is at Malvern. Remember me to her- I did not known Mr Selwyn was married - Who is he married to? I never look at a paper so I knew nothing about Captn Cole's being Sirred Is he made a Baronet or a Knight? I suppose the latter. You must always tell me the news when there is any, for I like to see it in your handwriting- I hear all about what Greys and the Castlereaghs think and what [illegible] call [illegible] and the Thingumme, intend to do.- But I dont understand one word of the business from beginning to end. I have just finished reading Mathilde which D
Yre Affte. Son
W H. F. Talbot
My love to Mr F.. Aunt Mary and my Cousins-
[address panel:]
Lady E Feilding
Malvern Links
Worcester
Notes:
1. Sophie Cottin, Matilde, ou Mémoires tirés de l'histoire des croisades, 6 Vols. (London: Peltier, 1805).