From the Land of Cimmerian darkness <1>
Janry 16th 1826
My Dear Mother
This is the darkest day I ever saw here the gas lights are general in the shops at present (¼ before 2). My eyes smart very much with a walk in the fog. - From the print shop at the corner of Sackville St, <2> you can see nothing whatever of St James's Church. Montgomerie <3> has called twice, but I have not been at home. Tell Caroline <4> that Mr M's green marble sketching book <5> is not forthcoming where she supposed. - I opened the black round table in the Front Drawing Room; two different keys were requisite; I found there no pedigree books but an album locked, in a beautiful red & gold binding - This I will bring with me to Worthing, <6> on Wednesday as I hope.
Yours afftly
H.F.
Lady E. Feilding
Worthing
Sussex
Notes:
1. According to the legend sunlight never penetrated the land of the Cimmerians; they lived north of the Caucasus and the Sea of Azov.
2. 31 Sackville Street, London residence of the Feildings, often used as a London base by WHFT.
3. Rev George Stephen Molyneux Montgomerie (1790-1850), close friend of Talbot family, artist, Rector of Garboldisham, near Thetford, Norfolk.
4. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808-1881); WHFT's half-sister.
5. See Doc. No: 01353.
6. Lady Feilding was staying at Worthing. [See Doc. No: 01353].