Harrow ^<1>
Nov. 24. 1814.

My dear Mamma,

This morning I found a banknote in the corner of my purse, of which I had not the smallest idea. I do not therefore want any more. This makes my accounts right, for I could not help thinking, that you had given me two pounds, & could not tell what had become of it, if you had. I am going to Town with Christopher & Trevelyan ^<2> on Wednesday morning the 7^th Dec. early: & am going then to call on M^r Sowerby ^<3> the botanist whom he knows, and intreat him to elucidate the obscurity which involves the denomination of some Harrovian vegetables, indigenous to that aërial situation. – Pray tell me, on what day you are going to follow Cal. & Hor. ^<4> to Bowood; ^<5> & take my place for me (in the Bath conveyance I suppose) for Wednesday evening. – not Tuesday. Aunt Mary ^<6> has not said anything concerning the manner in which she intends Christopher to travel; & indeed she usually puts off such directions until the last moment. I think he had better come to Bowood with me in his way to Penrice ^<7>– Answer this soon – for I am afraid that the Etonians will secure the places – the Flora Britannica ^<8> is very useful, & assists my botanical pursuits amazingly.

I remain Y^r Aff^te Son
W H F T

μονογραμματα. ^<9>

Lady Elisabeth Feilding
31 Sackville S^t
London

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Notes:

1. Harrow School: WHFT attended from 1811–1815 and his son Charles from 1855-1859.

2. Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot (1803–1890), immensely wealthy landowner, mathematician & politician; WHFT’s Welsh cousin, and Walter Calverley Trevelyan, 6th Baronet (1797–1879), naturalist & antiquary.

3. George Brettingham Sowerby (1788–1854), naturalist.

4. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister, and Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810–1851), WHFT’s half-sister.

5. Bowood House, nr Calne, Wiltshire, 5 mi NE of Lacock: seat of the Marquess of Lansdowne.

6. Lady Mary Lucy Cole, née Strangways, first m. Talbot (1776–1855), WHFT’s aunt.

7. Penrice Castle and Penrice House, Gower, Glamorgan, 10 mi SW of Swansea: home of Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot.

8. Sir James Edward Smith, Flora Britannica (London: J. Taylor, J. Davis, and J. White, 1800–1804). [See Doc. No: 00622].

9. Monograms.