Normanton <1> nr Stamford,
July 1st 1820
My dear Sir,
Accept my most cordial Congratulation upon your obtaining the Porson-Prize. <2> I am very anxious to hear that it is confirmed to you, and earnestly request that I may know this as soon as possible. -
Having been absent from Home for ten Days and my Letters not having been forwarded to me at Coningsby, I did not receive your obliging Letter till yesterday. -
This morning has brought me Intelligence that my Friend Kaye <3> is Bishop of Bristol and Wordsworth <4> Master of Trinity-College. I have also received most gratifying Information respecting my Pupil Noyes<5> who is at Christ-Church, Oxford. -
The news of the Success of three Friends in so short a Space of Time almost overpowers my Spirits, and makes me find it difficult to refrain from weeping with Joy. -
My Brother's book <6> will come out soon. There are to be several Engravings. -
I shall be most happy to see you, & have no Engagement except perhaps in Tuesday. the 11th to Dinner. As soon as you have fixed upon the Time, I will thank you to let me know. -
Dr Kaye & Family were to have come to Normanton on the 17th. inst; but, as he is appointed Bishop of Bristol, other Engagements may prevent his coming. -
I hope to hear from you very soon, and remain, my dear Sir,
Your sincere Friend,
Thomas Kaye Bonney.
Stamford July two. 1820 G.T. Heathcote <7>
W. H. F. Talbot Esqre
Trinity College
Cambridge
Notes:
1. Normanton, Rutlandshire.
2. Cambridge prize for best translation into Greek verse. [See Doc. No: 00885].
3. John Kaye (1783-1853), author. Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University (1815); Bishop of Bristol (1820-1827); Bishop of Lincoln (1827-1853).
4. Christopher Wordsworth (1774-1846), brother of the poet.
5. Thomas Herbert Noyes (b. 1800), of East Mascalls, Sussex.
6. Henry Kaye Bonney, Historic Notices in reference to Fotheringhay (T. Bell, Oundle, 1821).
7. Sir Gilbert John Heathcote, 4th Baronet (1795-1867), MP, sat for Boston from 1820 to 1831.