TALBOT724

Castleford, ¹
4^th Nov. 1816 –

My Dear Mamma,

I rather think that M^r Barnes ² could sign that certificate, as well as anybody else, altho’ he is an Oxford man – He says he does not know, for that the Oxford customs are different – Pray send an elucidation – Gordon went to Cambridge nearly a fortnight ago – He was a great loss to us – The author of your Epitaph on Erasmus, ³ who makes [vermitres?] short, in order to make [bonus?] long, proceeds on the principle “ πας ο υψων εαυτον ⁴ &c. &c –

Did you ever hear the story of the boy, who called the Euphrates – Euphrãtes – & being condemned by his master to write two Latin verses on his mistake, said – Tessus ad Euphratem veniens puer improbus olim, Ut cito transiret, corripuit pluvium ⁵ – I went to Leeds on Saturday on purpose to see M^r Gott’s ⁶ cloth-manufactory, but when I got there, I found it was impracticable to procure admission, he is so particular – The road was more dirty than you can conceive – I have heard nothing of Betty ⁷for a long while – I am very sorry the Colchester man does not do, for I should have liked the vicinity of the sea –

When do you leave Redlynch? ⁸ I see by the frank, Lord Auckland ⁹ has been there – When is M^r –F– ¹⁰ going as you say to Burley? ¹¹

I remain Y^r Aff^te Son
W. H. F. Talbot

The Lady Elis^th Feilding
Redlynch
Wincaunton
Somerset