TALBOT563

Rottingdean ¹
12 April 1812

Dear Talbot,

You say you are surprised why I do not write to you – I answer in my Defence – I think it is I who ought to be surprised – If you recollect right – I wrote a letter to you last half year, to which nil mitri rescrissisti, ² & I therefore conjectured – (I know not whether right or wrong) that it was not agreable [sic] to you to continue the Correspondence: However, as you favour me by desiring to continue it, I shall willingly write, provided (mark ye that) – provided you write to me in return – As to amusements – we have not not had not had [sic] much time for enjoying ourselves, because the weather has been so bad ever since we returned, that we have hardly been able to stir – Our good friend, Bowbee Abbey, has not yet of Course returned from his Easter holidays Poor Ma’am ³ Died in the Holidays, and was buried about half way up the walk in the Church-yard on the right side a Country woman of mine of the name of Brown is come in her place. Campion makes his first appearance at School tomorrow; he is a very riotous kind of a Chap; I went to see him in the Easter Holidays, with my mother M^rs Hooker, the Doctor,⁴ & Commodore Tom Smith, alias Little Totty, alias Duckling – The House is very old-fashioned on the outside The windows, as I supposed from what I saw of them Giving light to two Stories –

As the weather was wet we were prevented from seeing the Grounds which are very large – The younger part of us, therefore, viz Tib, Totty & myself adjourned to a very handsome hall to amuse ourselves with ninepins & Trap ball, where he kicked up such a row as might be heard all over the House – The Slades being gone, (for their race is for the present extinct) I have not near such hard work as I used to have. They have introduced singing into our church again – All our masters attend as usual; Mouche has already put us twice back for practice – I have now in my Class, Bowden, Hobroyd, & Ingestrie ⁵ – The latter of whom I heartily wish to get rid of, for he reads so badly, that he always holds⁶ us back, & the same in his exercises We like our sergeant as well as ever we have all regimentals of blue & red, Colours, &c &c I am in a hurry

Good Bye I remain your affectionate Friend
G Smith

[Address panel:]
Mr W H F Talbot
at D^r Butler’s ⁷
Harrow School ⁸
Harrow on the Hill
Middx
Rottingdean
April 12. 1812 ⁹