TALBOT1530

Berlin

24^th January 1827

My Dear Mother

Today we have warm weather and blinding snow; that is, warm weather comparatively, Fahrenheit being only 9 below freezing. It has softened the streets, which makes walking very fatiguing. Yesterday I dined with Lord Clanwilliam, ¹ he is a very good fellow, it is impossible to recollect two minutes together that he is an Ambassador –

Last night I saw M^lle Sonntag ² in Aschenbrödel (i.e. Cquerentola) ³ She is beautiful both in person & voice. She has very fine eyes and a very good humoured expression of countenance. I called today on M. Chamisso ⁴ who went round the world with Kotzebue ⁵ He was very civil & showed me his track upon a globe. He says the most interesting people in the world are the natives of the Isles of Radack. He looks like Robinson Crusoe ⁶ with his iron grey hair flowing over his shoulders – M. de Humboldt ⁷ called on me this evening, he is a very polite old gentleman, rather infirm, and talks agreeably. He offered to send me notes of introduction to some of the Artists, & says he & la Baronne are always to be found at home of an evening –

Your aff^te Son

W.H.F. Talbot

Lady E. Feilding
31 Sackville Street
London
Brighton
Susex