M^t Edgcumbe
August 1.

My dear Uncle Henry

I have behaved very ill in not writing earlier to you, but I have found it so difficult to make up my mind whether I ought to accept your invitation or not, and I regret to say that I have been obliged to decide at last not to come, at any rate for this Month. My reasons are these –

I am going in, as I told you, for the Classical part of my examination directly I return to Oxford – viz the beginning of October – and as yet I am sorry to say I do not know much of my work. I think therefore (and I am sure you will agree with me) that it would hardly be safe for me to read mathematics now (w^h I am not going in for till next year) & so leave only one month to finish all my classical reading in. I might possibly be able to do it all in that time I daresay, but supposing I was prevented from reading for a single week, it might oblige me to give up going in for two whole terms more, w^h w^d ruin all my plans. I propose therefore to read here during this month, and if at the end of that time I felt my work pretty safe, and you were still able and willing to let me pay you a little visit then, there is nothing I could wish for more –

I cannot help repeating how very grateful I am for your very kind proposal, and the interest you take in my goings on, and how much I should have liked to take advantage of your good nature.

Please give my love to my aunt & cousins, and Amandier and believe me ever y^r very aff^te nephew
Valletort

[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esq^re
Greta Bank
Kewsick