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Document number: 01169
Date: 23 Feb 1824
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: FEILDING Charles
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Collection number historic: LA24-21
Last updated: 7th March 2012

Genoa.
23 Feby.

My dear Henry.

The snow on Mt Cenis stopped the Paris Mail & Post, so I am afraid this will hardly reach you at Paris – which however I am very anxious it should – as I wish you to bring Nicolle <1> for me. Baptiste <2> has been behaving very ill & I have been some days on the look out for another servant nothing therefore can be more opportune than his offer, & my only Fear is that he will have got a place before you receive this. Propose to him if you please the same Terms we agreed on at Nice, I conclude they will satisfy him particularly as he is not to have anything to do with the Kitchen – if he stands out for 100. Fcs more I will give it – of course you will examine his certificates since our acquaintance with him – If I do not keep him to replace Richard <3> – you might take him – but of this hereafter – Will you be so good as to send Giovanni <4> to Madame Vigogne au Pensionnat Quai de Billy No 14. près la Pompe à Feu de Chaillot <5>, to ask for a packet of music & bring it with you – he must ask for it in my Name. Richards conduct is very vexatious – it is a most unpleasant sensation to be deceived by one known so long & trusted so much – I did receive your letters from Bowood & Abbotsbury <6>, & answered them in a letter to London which I trust you recd before your departure – & to which indeed I have so little to add that I shall conclude –

God bless you Yr Afe
C.F.

I was delighted to hear from Auckland <7> an account of your popularity at Bowood –
Write me a line from Paris the moment you have seen Nicolle, that I may know if I am to continue my researches – Explain to Nicolle that it is not for a Job but a Permanency – as between us both it will be, if our expectations are answered as to his merits, [illegible deletion]

Monr William Henry Fox Talbot
Francia
Anglois
Poste restante
Paris

Notes:

1. Nicholas (Nicole) Sisberg, servant. [See Doc. No: 01175].

2. A manservant employed by Charles Feilding.

3. Richard, a servant.

4. Giovanni Percij.

5. Madame Vigogne at the Guest House No 14 Quai de Billy, near the Chaillot Fire Pump.

6. Bowood House, nr Calne, Wiltshire, 5 mi NE of Lacock: seat of the Marquess of Lansdowne, and Abbotsbury, Dorset: home of William Thomas Horner Fox Strangways.

7. George Eden, 1st Earl of Auckland (1784–1849), Governor General of India.