TALBOT664

Penrice, ¹

September 2^d 1815.

My Dear M^r Feilding,

There was no shooting yesterday, by reason of Sir Christopher ² having cut, or as he terms it, slivered his thumb. Jem George ³ has been so busy carrying the wheat, barley, oats, peas & other crops; that he has not been able to go out with me & Kit. ⁴ Once indeed we attempted to have a little shooting in the Evening after dinner, & sallied out with murderous intentions; but we first put in a little powder to clear <illegible deletion> the gun, & unfortunately could not fire it off, so after altering the flint a thousand ways, we were obliged to return home, & take it to pieces; – we found that the cock would not strike back the pan, though it afforded plenty of sparks – Then we loosened the Screw, & oiled it well, & went out again. Again it would not go off, which I perceived was owing to Jem George’s pulling the trigger very slowly & gently: but he would not allow that to be the reason. – However I am certain that it was, because the Groom came up, & pulled the trigger smartly, & it went off directly, with a very loud & clear report. It was then dark, so we went home, & have not been out since: for Aunt Mary ⁵ objects to my going out with anybody but Jem George, who is too busy. Tell me the events of your shooting at Sprotborough. ⁶ –

I remain –
Y^s Affectionately

W.H.F. Talbot.

P.S. the clothes, & charger are not come yet; – Kits holidays are prolonged one week, for the Battle of Waterloo. ⁷

Dr Butler ⁸ desires that I will present you “his most respectful compliments, together with many thanks for your polite & pleasing letter.”

Cap^t Feilding R.N.
Sir J. Copley’s
Sprotborough
Doncaster
Yorkshire.