TALBOT1398

Calais
10^th March 1826

My Dear M^r F.

My carriage here is rated very reasonably at 1400ff of which ⅓ is to be deposited as usual. I have measured your fourgon, ¹ with the help of a lantern & climbing over other carriages, as it was stowed away in a corner –

Front wheel				Hind wheel
Diamr	34¼	inches English		Diamr	56¼	inches
Axle tree	4¾	to 1st shoulder		Axle tree	4¼	to 1st shoulder
	5½	to 2d do			5[illegible deletion]¼	to 2d

The axletrees have 2 irregular shoulders [illustration]

I conversed a good deal on board with a M^r Saunders a sensible man connected with the Gen^l Steam Navig:ⁿ Company–² He informed me they have just built 2 steamers for S^t Petersburg, burden 700 tons each has 2 engines of 120 Horse Power (not large enough for velocity, but to economise the storage for Fuel.) They are to sail every fortnight from London, touch first at Gothenburgh (Sweden) then at Stockholm then Petersburg – Passengers can land at those places & wait for the next vessel.– Time in all to S^t Petersburg, 6 days – First vessel will be launched in March at Blackwall, ³ the maker is under contract to have her ready to sail the 1^st June –

As to the Hamburgh vessels, this year they will steam once a week. –

Yours Aff^tly
H. Talbot

[address panel:]
Monsieur le Capitaine Feilding
31 Sackville Street
London