TALBOT3879

Castleford ¹

1^st December 1815.

My Dear Mamma,

I wrote a pretty long letter to M^r Feilding ² a week or two ago, which I am afraid he did not receive; since you seem so much surprized at my not having written. The winter is setting in: Snow, Rain, Fog, Mist; & hoar Frost, contend for the preeminence. I have bought a pair of skaits, but the Ice is not at present thick enough. - We bought a Poney of the Jailer, about a week ago, for sixteen pounds, but the man would not part with the saddle, nor could we get one ready made, or second hand at Pomfret; ³ so we were obliged to order one. I have had several rides, & like him very much, as he is very quick, & very quiet, & very handsome, & bay coloured. Stewart keeps a horse here, & goes out hunting. I have told you, I believe, M^r Hale's pursuits; I cannot say I like him much; he is so exceedingly Silly. - I was surprized to hear of your going to Town, for I thought you intended wintering at Melbury. ⁴ I enclose a letter to Caroline, not knowing whether to direct to her at Sackville S^{t 5} or Bowood, ⁶ or Melbury, or Deans Leaze. ⁷ I hope it will amuse her. Pray tell me where Betty ⁸ is at present, that I may write to her. - I do not think she knows I have left Harrow. - I have heard no particulars of Christopher's ⁹ alarm, besides what you told me. - If you have a mind to send me a present, suitable to the occasion, send me a Peacock's Repository ¹⁰ for the Ensuing year, unbound, to go into my Pocketbook, and a microscope; such as I had lately, if you recollect, but lost it at Penrice - ¹¹ A tortoiseshell kind of case, enclosing three lenses, with a hold in it, to enable you to look through all three at once: of as high magnifying power, as may be: it will not cost above a dollar. I hope you understand me- I am reading at present by myself "Anacharsis's Travels" ¹² in English- & "Tytlers Elements of General History" ¹³ and the "Morning Chronicle" ¹⁴ - I say no more.

I be's y^r Aff^te Son

W. H. F. Talbot

The Lady Elisabeth Feilding
31 Sackville S^t
London