[this is written on the same sheet as a note from Lady Elisabeth - see Doc. No: 01584]
Sackville Street <1>
May 21st 1826 –
My dear Henry
I thank you very much for the enthusiastic description of Corfu which you sent me the other day; it made us all long to be there with you exploring & botanising in the mountains, instead of breathing the smoky atmosphere of London, where we are frozen one day & suffocated another; I think the spring has never been so cold & changeable as this year. I am very glad to hear that you have visited some of the other islands, & still more that you are safe once more on Terra firma, but I cannot help wondering how you could so soon leave the birth-place of Homer’s Muse! – I suppose you have heard by this time the sad fate of Missolunghi <2>; it was taken at the very time you were writing to us about the rejoicings at Zante for a victory gained over the Turks; it is said that most of the garrison was killed, & the greatest part of the women drowned themselves & their children to escape falling alive into the hands of the enemy; but I suppose you know [sic] all this long ago, & besides it is too melancholy, ainsi changeons d’entretien <3>. –
We have had a grand Bal costumé, <4> at the Opera house for the benefit of the Spanish & Italian refugees, <5> & another since for the Spitalfields <6> weavers; Kit <7> went in a magnificent crimson dress – all covered with gold, which he bought of a Tunisian Captain at Cadiz. We did not go as I was in expectation of having the measles, however I have not caught it yet; Horatia is almost well & comes down stairs; but she has not been out yet as we have had easterly winds lately. I met [illegible deletion] at a ball the other day a certain Mr Stapleton <8>, who the moment he was introduced to me, asked me if I had not a brother, & what his name was, & in short a great many particulars about you, & at last said that he had known you a great many years ago at Harrow, <9> that he thought you so clever & good natured, & that he liked you better than all the other boys in the school; I answered all his questions in the most satisfactory manner, & we were both of the same opinion concerning you, therefore I hope you will renew acquaintance with him as soon as you come back. – Our Cousin Talbots <10> returned to Penrice <11> some time ago, & Kit went Friday to Southampton, but Aunt Mary <12> & Sir Christopher <13> are still here. I hope you have not forgotten to draw me some costumes or views at least, as both appear excessively picturesque from your account. – Addio, caro fratello mio, scrivi presto, e credemi tua sorella affettuosatissima Carolina Augusta Feilding <14> –
Papa <15> desires his love & will write next post. –
Monsieur
Monsieur W. H. F. Talbot
aux soins de Mr Strangways <16>
chargé d’Affaires de S. M. Britannique
à Florence
en Toscane
Italie
Notes:
1. 31 Sackville Street, London residence of the Feildings, often used as a London base by WHFT.
2. Misspelling of Missolonghi (Greek Mesolóngion), a city in western Greece, on the north shore of the Gulf of Patras. It resisted the Turkish forces in the War of Greek Independence (1821–1829) and is also noted as the place where the poet Lord Byron, who had travelled there to fight, died in 1824. With reference to this letter, it was captured by the Turks on 23 April 1826.
3. And so let’s change the subject.
4. Great ball dressed up.
5. See Doc. No: 01232, and Doc. No: 01421.
6. This was probably held in connection to the Spitalfields weavers bill introduced in 1823.
7. Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot (1803–1890), immensely wealthy landowner, mathematician & politician; WHFT’s Welsh cousin.
8. Probably Thomas Stapleton (1778–1854), 8th Baron Beaumont. [See Doc. No: 02405].
9. Harrow School: WHFT attended from 1811–1815 and his son Charles from 1855-1859.
10. Mary Thereza Talbot (1795–1861), WHFT’s cousin; Jane Harriot Nicholl, née Talbot (1796–1874); Charlotte Louisa 'Charry' Traherne, née Talbot (1800–1880), WHFT’s cousin; Isabella Catherine Franklen, née Talbot (1804–1874); Emma Thomasina Llewelyn, née Talbot (1806–1881), photographer; WHFT’s Welsh cousin.
11. Penrice Castle and Penrice House, Gower, Glamorgan, 10 mi SW of Swansea: home of Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot.
12. Lady Mary Lucy Cole, née Strangways, first m. Talbot (1776–1855), WHFT’s aunt.
13. Sir Christopher Cole (1770–1836), Captain, MP & naval officer.
14. Goodbye, my dear brother, write quickly, and believe me your most affectionate sister, Caroline Augusta Feilding.
15. Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (1780–1837), Royal Navy; WHFT’s step-father.
16. Care of William Thomas Horner Fox Strangways, 4th Earl of Ilchester (1795–1865), botanist, art collector & diplomat.