TALBOT6883

[landscape engraving:]DADDY’S HOLE
near Torquay

Friday 16^th Dec^r 1853

My dear Henry

I do not wonder you were puzzled at seeing Val’s ¹ name in the Oxford list – I will however proceed to explain this apparent phenomenon. He did not go up for honours in Mathematics having renounced them, as I told you, in favour of Modern History – But he was of course obliged to go up for a pass in Mathematics – as this is a sine quâ non ² before taking one’s degree. He did so well however in merely being examined for a pass, that the Examiners were pleased to bestow upon him an honorary 4^th Class – which is considered rather a κυδος ³ – Val is very anxious this should be properly explained – because what in this case is an honour, would be considered a disgrace had he tried for a 1^st & obtained only a 4^th Class. Pray explain this to Constance & Amandier. ⁴ In publishing the list, no distinction is made between ordinary 4^th & honorary 4^th – Val was so vexed he did not go to lunch at Jane’s ⁵ the day you were there – He was in London only that one day I think. He is now here, & Charlie ⁶ too; his tutor being gone away for his Holidays. – We were delighted with your description of the Charades, & longed much to have seen them. I guessed them both. Orange & Carpenters Car–painter. – I should much like to have some of your photographic engravings & the Athenæum ⁷ account of the process I enclose a specimen of a lovely fern from M^t E. ⁸ lately introduced there – Is it not a variety of Venus’ Hair? – Pray tell Amandier I have got the dear old Harp that used to be at Laycock Abbey. I have had it put in order by Erard ⁹ – & as we have got our own good Piano from M^t E. we can make some very nice music, which Milord ¹⁰ hears & enjoys from his bed. I am sure Amandier will be pleased to hear, that my fingers have forgotten very little of what she taught me – tho’ it is many Years since they swept the strings!

Is not Daddy’s Hole a curious looking place? It is a great rent or chasm, as if part of the Cliff had slid away from the rest – & large trees have grown up in the fissure. I sent a view of the Port to Amandier – & Ernestine ¹¹ one of Anstey’s Cove to Rosamond. ¹²

Love to all – y^rs aff^te
Caroline

Milord¹³ has been very ill for about a week – But yesterday & today is very much better again. I hear that L^d Feilding is going to be married again – it is not a year since his wife’s death – but that party are anxious no time should be lost, for fear he sh^d get out of their hands. His future is a R. Catholic Miss Fraser.

[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esq^re
Greta Bank
Keswick
Cumberland