TALBOT1886

Edinburgh

8 November 1829

My Dear Mother

The waiter did not give me your letter, which arrived yesterday, till today:– I wish you to excuse me at Hopetoun House; ¹ if there was a very delightful party there, I am sure you would have said so – I am employed in writing some Tales ² in prose & verse, which I mean to print if they are likely to amuse anybody – very short however, for I don’t hold “the pen of a ready writer” I began them some months ago but have not added a word while touring or visiting; so I have tried to profit by this interval of leisure. There is a letter for you come from Lady Wemyss ³ – It adorns my chimneypiece and I don’t know whether to forward it or not.

Edinburgh is truly picturesque, Arthur’s Seat & Salisbury Crags form a most romantic background to the picture, indeed a complete illusion, for the vapours of the city so augment their height that you fancy yourself gazing on Snowdon or Helocllyn – The rounded summit of Arthur’s Seat contrasts remarkably well with the abrupt & precipitous termination of the Crags – On Tuesday I expect you for certain –

Your aff^te Son

Henry Talbot

Lady E. Feilding
at the Earl of Hopetoun’s ⁴
Hopetoun House
near South Queensferry