TALBOT2080

Chippenham, ¹
6 o’clock Friday evening.

My Dear Mother,

I was only ten hours and a quarter on the road [illegible]clusive ² of stoppages, such is the speed of the Company’s coach, nearly equal to the mail. The country appeared very tranquil, but we passed parties of prisoners escorted by lancers and constables, on their way to [illegible deletion] Reading gaol. They have taken it is said near two hundred of them. I am going on to Lacock; Awdry ³ says our parish is and has been tranquil.

D^r Keate ⁴ the head Master of Eton has received this curious epistle. “Rev^d Sir – If you don’t lay aside your thrashing-machine, you shall hear more from

Swing ⁵”

Have you seen in the papers a most ridiculous conviction under the new Beer Act; ⁶ an information was laid against a publican for having his name painted in gold letters on a rose coloured sign board, whereas the Act directs that it shall be in black letters on a white ground, or vice versâ. The magistrate was obliged to fine him ten pounds, tho’ sorry he said to do so, as he had been guilty of no offence whatever, but the words of the act were clear & admitted of no dispute –

Your aff^te Son
Henry Talbot

26^th November 1830

Lady E. Feilding
31 Sackville S^t
London