[written on the same sheet as a letter from Charles Feilding - see Doc. No: 00872]
Rue de Clichy
16. April <1>
My Dear Henry
Nothing is yet positively settled as to our destination for the Summer or you may be sure I should have written to you, but after having veered towards every point of the compass & listened to every body’s recommendations at last we are now poised between two only c’est ŕ dire <2> Montmorenci & Baden. It was once very near fixed for Spa & still nearer for Aix en Savoie which appears by all accounts to be a perfect Heaven upon earth. It is very amusing the opposite accounts people give of the self same place, for instance some have told us Spa was cool, agreeable & cheap, others that it was hot disagreeable & dear, & so on of Several others, but the only one all join in praise of is Berlin, but there the great distance is a set off to its attractions. Montmorenci is a beautiful shady spot ten miles from Paris, consecrated as classic ground by the residence of Rousseau. <3> I am just going to see Calas, <4> so have not time to say any more, as the Ambigu <5> begins so tiresomely early. I wonder I h
I hope Mr Staub[?] produces a great sensation at Cambridge. –
Adieu Carissimo figliato <8>
Henry Talbot Esqre
Trin: Coll:
Cambridge
Notes:
1. Lady Elisabeth’s letter was started on 16 April and continued by Capt Feilding on 17 April.
2. That is to say.
3. Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–1778), philosopher.
4. Probably the play The Fate of Calas by Thomas John Dibdin.
5. Entertainment, variety act.
6. Text torn away by seal.
7. The straits of Dover.
8. Goodbye dearest son.