Sloperton <1>
October 14’
My dear Talbot –
I wrote to Lady Elisabeth <2> (who, I dare say, is by this time returned) on the subject of my roosting for a few days at in [sic] Sackville St. <3> – and she answered that all I had to do was to ascertain whether you were going up, and if not, that I might then take possession – So pray let me have a line, on the subject, by return of post, and say at the same time, whether there is any thing that I can do for Mrs Talbot <4> or yourself, while in town –
Ever yours
T. Moore
You all charmed Hayward so much the other day that I am sure the next book you publish will be sure of a niche in the Quarterly – he being one of the High Priests of that Tory establishment.<5>
Notes:
1. Sloperton Cottage, Wiltshire, 1 mi E of Lacock: home of Thomas Moore, the Irish poet.
2. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.
3. 31 Sackville Street, London residence of the Feildings, often used as a London base by WHFT. As a close friend of the Feildings, Moore stayed there - 'roosted' - on occasion.
4. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
5. Abraham Hayward (1801-1884), a man of letters especially known for his interpretations of Faust. The Quarterly Review, a literary and political journal, was published by John Murray (also WHFT's publisher). It was unreservedly Tory, countering the well-established Edinburgh Review with its strong Whig bias. While the direct reference for 'niche' is to an entry in the Review, a possible secondary meaning would be a nod to a statuary niche in the temple of the Tory high priests. According to Moore's Journal, he and Hayward had visited Lacock Abbey together on 20-21 September.