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Document number: 638
Date: 25 Feb 1813
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: NICHOLL Jane Harriot, née Talbot
Collection: Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, Chippenham
Collection number: Lacock Abbey Deposit WRO 2664
Last updated: 9th March 2012

Clifton, <1>
Febry 25th 1813

My dear Henry

I do not think Aunt Susan <2> kept the Vinny No. 3, because she heard me say that I thought you must have taken it, I wish you would enquire of my Aunt Lily <3> what she knows about it, I think Vinny’s must have some concealed wings, for the first number went away in a most extraordinary manner Mr Eden sent us another Vinny I wish you could see it, it is worth all the Vinny’s How very much I should like to be possessed of such a fund of Wit – but Wit is very dangerous, still I think a person without it cannot a small portion of it is always very dull I delight in your woods & rocks – I like it better than if it was Sublime – Pray always write to me when you feel yourself in a practical mood, but do not wait for the Muses if you are inclined to write. I read your Laura Matilda when I was at Stinsford, <4> & Aunt Susan used to quote “Hail! Immortal [?ment], Queen of Life’s sweet roseate hour” to Mr OBrien <5> about six times in an hour – Pray send me some paragraphs for the Vinny which we are writing – In Mr Eden’s <6> there was a Paragraph that we never cease laughing at “Last week was overturned in this neighbourhood a Pedlar’s Pack several bad contusions were received by the passengers, two watches had their faces dreadfully smashed & their hands broken, several needles had their eyes knocked out, the legs of a pair of Compasses had it were dislocated, two phials had their necks broke and a pincushion actually had it [sic] brains knocked out.” I forgot to put at the beginning “Horible [sic] Accident” – at which we are barbaric enough to laugh – Mr Feilding <7> was here for a few days he went on Monday last and intended getting to London on Wednesday – Do you think Caroline & Horatia <8> have forgotten us? I can hardly pity Mr Coates as he is a great Coxcomb he has been very rich and fancies he is doing the public a great service his acting which he does very badly – as to being laughed at that was the least of his misfortunes however it is good for Trade his having spent 300 pounds for two days nothing I heard you was [sic] to have gone to the see the remains of the Fete at Carlton House which I say is the same thing, but Mama <9> says going to the Fair & the Day after the fair are two different things – did you go? –

We set out for Penrice <10> on Monday – Quelle joie <11> I wish you were to be of the happy party –

Believe me your very affectte Cousin
Jane Harriet Talbot –

Are you well acquainted yet with Ld Chas. Murray? <12> – how do you like him?

Kit <13> went yesterday

W H F Talbot
Harrow School
Middlesex
Clifton Febry 25th 1813 <14>


Notes:

1. Clifton, Bristol, on the Avon Gorge.

2. Susannah Sarah Louisa O’Brien, née Strangways (1743–1827), WHFT’s great aunt.

3. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.

4. Stinsford, Dorsetshire, 2 mi E of Dorcester.

5. William O’Brien (d. 1815).

6. George Eden, 1st Earl of Auckland (1784–1849), Governor General of India.

7. Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (1780–1837), Royal Navy; WHFT’s step-father.

8. 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.

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

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

11. What a joy.

12. See Doc. No: 00598.

13. Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot (1803–1890), immensely wealthy landowner, mathematician & politician; WHFT’s Welsh cousin.

14. Written in another hand at the back of address panel.

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