Normanton <1> nr Stamford,
Janry 31st 1818
Dear Sir,
As you told me that the Examination for Pitt's Scholarship <2> was to begin on the 26th, I conclude that you have been one Week undergoing the fiery Trial, and I feel very anxious to know if you have acquitted yourself to your own Satisfaction. If you should have a moment's Leisure will you do me the Favor to write? - I had the Pleasure of seeing Mr Feilding <3> in London, who expressed himself very happy at your being a Candidate. Mr Feilding has given your Pony to the Marquis of Lansdowne, <4> who was to have sent for it on Wednesday or Thursday last, but the Servant has not yet arrived.
I left with Mr Feilding the small Paper of Seed, which I could not find in my Pocket when I was with you, but which afterwards I discovered in a Book. The Name upon the Paper is wrong: it is there written Convolvulus, but my Sister says it is the "creeping Campanula", which grows in the Hedges. -
I brought young Copley <5> back with me: He is to go to Harrow <6> either at Easter or at Whitsuntide, according as the Harrow Vacation may be. Is it at Easter or at Whitsuntide? - He has now a beautiful Pony, which he can ride and likes very much. -
When I was in London, I called upon Lord Winchilsea and Mr Finch, <7> but both were out. I understood Miss Finch (Lord W's Sister) continued much [missing text]<8> same. -
Nothing is stirring in this Part of the Country, which I think can be interesting to you. Lord Exeter's Sister, Lady Sophia Cecil, <9> is soon to be married to Mr Henry Pierrepoint, a Brother of Lord Manvers. <10> -
Lord Lonsdale's <11> Family still remain at Cottesmore, but the other great People have left the Neighbourhood for a Time.
You may conclude how little I know of Cambridge-Affairs from my not having heard yet who is the Senior Wrangler. -
Yr's most faithfully,
Thomas Kaye Bonney.
W. H. F. Talbot Esqre
Trinity College
Cambridge
Notes:
1. Normanton, Rutlandshire.
2. See Doc. No: 00814, and Doc. No: 00835.
3. Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (1780-1837), Royal Navy; WHFT's step-father.
4. Henry Petty Fitzmaurice, 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne (1780-1863), MP, WHFT's uncle.
5. Joseph William Copley, 4th and last Baronet.
6. Harrow School: WHFT attended from 1811-1815 and his son Charles from 1855-1859.
7. George Finch, 9th Earl of Winchilsea (1752-1826) and George Finch (1794-1870), JP & MP.
8. Text torn away under seal.
9. Cecil Brownlow, 2nd Marquis of Exeter, owner of Burleigh House, Stamford, and his sister Sophia.
10. Henry Manvers Pierrepont (1780-1851), and his brother Charles Herbert Pierrepont, 2nd Earl Manvers (1778-1860), owner of Thoresby Park, Ollerton, Nottinghamshire
11. William Lowther (1757-1844), 1st Earl of Lonsdale.