TALBOT3740

Downing Lodge
Oct^r 8 1838

Dear Talbot

Your room is ready, bed well aired &c &c nevertheless the Fly & Telegraph have both passed ¹so that if you do not appear by the 9 oClock relay, I shall fire this shot at you.

There seems no great probabilities of my being obliged to go to Town again just yet; & if I am, you shall have a blank V.C.’s order for picture books & you may study Weale² or Rosellini ³ ad libitum ⁴ – Such a resumption of private studies must I am afraid be your fate whether I go or stay, under existing circumstances – as for example tomorrow& the next day are distinguished by the following beautiful order of things

Tuesday Oct^r 9/ 10 oClock

Clerum

11 – Licensing Lodging Houses at the Schools

1 – Ditto Public Houses An operation which will last to about 4 or 5 Wednesday Oct^r 10 Term begins

11 oClock congregation at Senate House Election of Univ^y officers

2. Congregation again to complete the Elections &c &c &c

with Sundry interludes of payment orders – things indescribably unutterable, abominable – corresponding generally to the word business (πολυπραγμοσυνη) that which frittereth away a mans time & animal spirits – I think it but fair to tell you the posture of things; & my counsel to your Permanent is this – If you are staying in Town but a short time, & it must be soon or not at all, do not defraud me of your promised visit, but let your portmanteau be lined with the Chartæ stoicorum quorundam ⁵ & adventure boldly – If you have more time at command, defer your visit for a week or ten days when things will have been set a going & gained some little inherent momentum. When at all events some of your Trinity friends will have returned at present I watch over our Athens almost alone; & like a sentinel at dawning feel it drowsier & chiller than even during the dead waste & middle of the long vacation And now having waited some time beyond six, I shall proceed to dine & [illegible deletion] expect the Evening Coaches

Yours Ever
Tho^s Worsley

Henry Fox Talbot Esq^re
31 Sackville Street
London