Trin Coll. <1>
Thursday. Jan. 31. (Evening)
My dear Father.
I have just received a visit from Mr Mathison <2> who tells me that the paper <3> was not put up by the College, but by the Master, so that I had made a mistake when I told you that it was put up by the College. T This was an act of generosity on the part of the Master viz the putting up of a paper at all, so I couldn’t of cours as the incomer is liable to have to paper and paint the rooms, according to Mr Mathison’s account; so that I could not of course think of applying to the Master for a new paper. Mr Mathison says that the paper was up before he had anything to do with the rooms. So I must put up a new paper at my own expense. I have not yet taken the cheque to Mortlock’s Bank, but will do so tomorrow and let you know the result some day soon. I forgot to enquire today at the Station about my carpet-bag, but they have orders to send it here and it has not been sent here yet. If it doesnt come tomorrow I shall write to the station-master at King’s-cross. The reason that I write tonight, is this. Mr Mathison told me that he should answer your letter tonight, and I want to make matters as clear as I can. –
What a dreadful accident has occurred on the South-western Railway, resulting in the death of Dr Baly <4> –
I dont know the postal letters for the Athenæum <5> I saw SK on one of your letters to me, but I dont know what K can stand for. however my ommission <sic> of them doesnt seem to cause much delay
Your affect son
Charles Talbot.
Notes:
1. Trinity College, Cambridge
2. William Collings Mathison, tutor at Cambridge
3. Green wallpaper with a high arsenic content, see Doc. No: 08303.
4. Wiliam Baly MD (1814–1861) was killed in a railway accident near Wimbledon, 28 January 1861
5. The Athenæum and (London) Literary Chronicle, London.