TALBOT1435

[this is written on the same sheet as a note from Lady Elisabeth - see ]

Sackville Street ¹
May 21^st 1826 –

My dear Henry

I thank you very much for the enthusiastic description of Corfu which you sent me the other day; it made us all long to be there with you exploring & botanising in the mountains, instead of breathing the smoky atmosphere of London, where we are frozen one day & suffocated another; I think the spring has never been so cold & changeable as this year. I am very glad to hear that you have visited some of the other islands, & still more that you are safe once more on Terra firma, but I cannot help wondering how you could so soon leave the birth-place of Homer’s Muse! – I suppose you have heard by this time the sad fate of Missolunghi ²; it was taken at the very time you were writing to us about the rejoicings at Zante for a victory gained over the Turks; it is said that most of the garrison was killed, & the greatest part of the women drowned themselves & their children to escape falling alive into the hands of the enemy; but I suppose you know [sic] all this long ago, & besides it is too melancholy, ainsi changeons d’entretien ³. –

We have had a grand Bal costumé, ⁴ at the Opera house for the benefit of the Spanish & Italian refugees, ⁵ & another since for the Spitalfields ⁶ weavers; Kit ⁷ went in a magnificent crimson dress – all covered with gold, which he bought of a Tunisian Captain at Cadiz. We did not go as I was in expectation of having the measles, however I have not caught it yet; Horatia is almost well & comes down stairs; but she has not been out yet as we have had easterly winds lately. I met [illegible deletion] at a ball the other day a certain M^r Stapleton ⁸, who the moment he was introduced to me, asked me if I had not a brother, & what his name was, & in short a great many particulars about you, & at last said that he had known you a great many years ago at Harrow, ⁹ that he thought you so clever & good natured, & that he liked you better than all the other boys in the school; I answered all his questions in the most satisfactory manner, & we were both of the same opinion concerning you, therefore I hope you will renew acquaintance with him as soon as you come back. – Our Cousin Talbots ¹⁰ returned to Penrice ¹¹ some time ago, & Kit went Friday to Southampton, but Aunt Mary ¹² & Sir Christopher ¹³ are still here. I hope you have not forgotten to draw me some costumes or views at least, as both appear excessively picturesque from your account. – Addio, caro fratello mio, scrivi presto, e credemi tua sorella affettuosatissima Carolina Augusta Feilding ¹⁴ –

Papa ¹⁵ desires his love & will write next post. –

Monsieur
Monsieur W. H. F. Talbot
aux soins de M^r Strangways ¹⁶
chargé d’Affaires de S. M. Britannique
à Florence
en Toscane
Italie