TALBOT690

Castleford ¹

1 April 1816.

My Dear Mamma,

I shall like to go to Paris extremely, only I hope first to stay a week or ten days with you in London, since it is so long since I saw you, nearly half a year – My wardrobe also I conceive stands in need of a little replenishment. As to staying away from Castleford two months, I shall like it very much; because in that time I think Nuttall will be gone, & I am tired of him. – The subject of my charade ² is Potidæa ³ – won’t it do? M^r Barnes ⁴ thinks I had better leave some of my clothes, here – I think I had better take them to Town, & have a general survey – Tell me – I like riding, better than I used to do: I have been seventeen miles this morning – You say you admire, “Solem sola sequor” ⁵ – I do not think the thought is just: because many other flowers follow the sun, as well as the sunflower; – All the sunflowers are natives of America, therefore Clytie must have been changed into an Heliotrope (ηλιος, the Sun, and τρεπω, to Turn) which is an European plant, & very different. That is the classic plant.

I remain,
Y^r Aff^te Son

W. H. F. Talbot

Is L^d Porchester ⁶ in Town?

Lady E. Feilding
31 Sackville S^t
London