TALBOT571

Harrow. ¹
May 24. 1812

My dear Mamma,

I am very much obliged to you for interesting yourself about my chemistry; if you have written to D^r Butler ² indeed, you have done the only thing in the world that you ought not to have done. I am extremely sorry you did not consult me first; this has entirely destroyed all my further amusement while here – However I perfectly know that you did it to oblige me. I hope the letter (if you have written) will miscarry – Can not you imagine how disagreeable it must be to have a master privy to one’s secrets? Either he will not allow me to amuse myself for fear of my making dangerous experiments; or he will be talking to me about it before other boys who plague one to death about it – All together it is a most unlucky business as could have happened.

The Percevals ³ return tomorrow altogether – Last Thursday (a rainy day) was Speechday – Perhaps Aunt L. ⁴ may come next speechday (in June) – Where are my cousins? Send me Betty’s ⁵ direction

Goodbye me dear Mamma, Y^r Aff^te Son
W. H. F. Talbot

P.S. I am sure you could not have foreseen how much harm your letter to D^r B– will do me – give my love to M^r Feilding ⁶

Lady E. Feilding
Malvern
Worcester