[this is written on the same sheet as a note from Caroline - see Doc. No: 01080]
Naples
22d May 1823. –
My Dear Henry
as Caroline <1> has given you our adventure so much in detail, it is unnecessary for me to enlarge upon it, I must only deny that I shed many tears because my situation was for great part of the time too serious not to demand all my presence of Mind & I believe nobody ever commanded themselves more that was so inwardly frightened. Horatia <2> too behaved well considering she is a nervous creature, she exerted herself amazingly not to cry & indeed her agony for her father so concentrated her feelings that it was beyond tears. No wonder when the last she saw of him was in the confusion of drawn swords, & an exasperated populace all yelling like fiends. Caroline was very courageous, but Madlle <3> was terribly overcome & has not yet recovered, nor have I the effect on my nerves. The ambassador has interfered & I hope the ruffian in chief will be sent to the Galleys. It has had the effect of making me afraid of every Neapolitan & I quite dread any other expedition, & should be very willing to give up Pæstum.
The only houses here that are large enough to be cool are too dear, so that idea is abandoned. This is certainly a most delicious place, it is a pity que le monde Morale repond si peu au Monde physique <4>. I suppose we shall leave Rome again about the 10th June & proceed by Ancona to Varese where Mr F. <5> has heard of a house – at Como they are all taken. He will write to you to Nice I am disappointed in the coast of Baia, after all the ancients have said of it.
We were enchanted with Astroni I wish I knew where you would inquire for Letters.
M.
Monsr H. F. Talbot
Poste Restante
Florence
Tuscane
Nizza <6>
Notes:
1. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.
2. Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810–1851), WHFT’s half-sister.
3. Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].
4. That the world of morals corresponds so little to the physical world.
5. Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (1780–1837), Royal Navy; WHFT’s step-father.
6. Readdressed in another hand.