Harrow <1>
June 13th 1815.
My Dear Mamma,
You have not written to me since I saw you last, nor answered any of the questions I asked you. Pray write soon. Jane <2> tells me that Kit <3> is gone into Dorsetshire to his mother. <4> How is his eye now? Ld Northwick <5> has asked me to dinner with Ld & Lady Arden, <6> which I don't much like. I called on him today, & he shewed me several beautiful engravings of statues made by Canova <7> which one of Lord Ardens sons sent him lately as a present from abroad. Thursday is what we call Governor's Speechday, when Rycroft will deliver a Latin oration to the Governors, & Masters. The Duke of Devonshire <8> will be here. - Are you an admirer of coins? Ld Northwick has an immense collection of them, Gold, Silver, Brass, Copper, & Corinthian Brass. - Roman, Grecian, Sicilian, Asiatic, & everywhere; from the days of Tubalcain downwards. The Marquis of Abercorn <9> has never been here since he was made a Governor, so if he comes on Thursday, we shall get a Holiday from him. Third Speechday is on the 6th July.
I remain Yr Affte Son
W H F Talbot
Lady Elisabeth Feilding
31 Sackville St
London
Notes:
1. Harrow School: WHFT attended from 1811-1815 and his son Charles from 1855-1859.
2. Jane Harriot Nicholl, née Talbot (1796-1874).
3. Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot (1803-1890), immensely wealthy landowner, mathematician & politician; WHFT's Welsh cousin.
4. Lady Mary Lucy Cole, née Strangways, first m. Talbot (1776-1855), WHFT's aunt.
5. John Rushout, 2nd Lord Northwick (1770-1859). An F.S.A., he was an avid collector of art and antiquities, always happy to show his collection to lovers of art, first at his Cheltenham home of Thirlstane House, later at his Connaught Place gallery in London.
6. Charles George Perceval, 2nd Baron Arden (1756-1840), politician and antiquary, and his wife Elizabeth.
7. Antonio Canova (1757-1822), Italian sculptor.
8. William Spencer Cavendish, 6th Duke of Devonshire (1790-1858), owner of Hardwick Hall and Chatsworth, Chesterfield. [See Doc. No: 00579].
9. James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Abercorn (1811-1885).