TALBOT3756

Lacock

Nov^r 17. 1838

My Dear Mother

It does not surprise me to hear that yellow fogs prevail in London – Yesterday was very foggy here, & the night in consequence profoundly dark, so much so that I wonder how the Mails found their way. This morning however is very bright – the Miss Mundy’s ¹ left us yesterday, intending to make two day’s <sic> journey to Weymouth. The Awdrys have finally left Reybridge, ² & I am looking out for another tenant. Pray recommend it in all quarters – I am glad to hear the Infusoria ³ are well bound & look handsome. Don’t you think it was very well imagined to me to present this book to Lanelay ⁴ where they are all such great naturalists?

I will translate for you what M. Endlicher ⁵ of Vienna says respecting “Hermes” ⁶ in a letter to William.

– “I will not longer delay thanking you for your letter of the 13^th September & the enclosed very interesting work of M^r Talbot. It will interest me highly to become acquainted with the continuation of these researches – & I pray you to thank the author in my name – If M^r Talbot would honour me with a correspondence by letter, I should perhaps be able to be of service to him by the communication of similar works, of which many now appear in Germany, & some of which may be called very profound & leading to very important consequences” –

What is Wright ⁷ doing now? If he is doing nothing but “pleasuring” I wish he would come back to take charge of the Abbey, that Nicole ⁸ may be at liberty to accompany me to Town –

I see by the papers L^d Northampton ⁹ is likely to be the new P.R.S. ¹⁰ I suppose he is as good a choice as any that could be made. There is a sad dearth of scientific aristocracy; & that in a country, the mainsprings of whose wealth & commerce are so intimately connected with the improvements of Science!

Nov^r 18^th

M^r King ¹¹ wrote in reply that he wished the Deed ¹² to be sent to him, & it was sent by return of post. – I did not look out for the Asteroids – There is a long account of them in the papers, but it seems not to have been them, but an Aurora Borealis that came casually at the same time. I should like very much to be present at the Christening ¹³ – but as no time is fixed, it is very doubtful whether I shall be then in Town – I had fixed upon the name of Charles for my next, but what you tell me of Caroline’s ¹⁴ intention has made me begin to doubt about it again, as I think near relations ought not to have the same names, if it can be avoided – Today is a most heavy rain & all last night a deluge –

Your aff^te

Henry

Lady E. Feilding
46 Dover S^t
London