TALBOT757

[The envelope for this letter is in a private collection:}
H^y Fox Talbot Esq^r
Normanton
Stamford

______

March 17^th

My Dearest Henry

I marked some T (when I was first sorting them) to be sent to you, as I sent you all that were not asked for particularly by Longleat ¹ or Melbury. ² Many of those I still have, are on the Melbury List, but I shall send them to you, as I have already sent them so many. I did not understand any definition - I could find of Angular Motion, as applied to circular orbits which was the reason I asked you. If you can make it plain to my understanding, pray do.

You are too young to remember anything of the transactions at Tilsit, ³ or you would perceive why Alexander ⁴ owes Gratitude to Napoleon. ⁵ They were then great friends, because Alexander felt his escape from all the evils of an Invasion, for it was then in Napoleon's power to have Marched to Petersburg & with very different success to what he met with afterwards at a more unseasonable time of year. There is a Letter published by Santini ⁶ (who is come on purpose) I believe they have given the translation in the papers as well as of the Manifesto but it is badly done. Meaning By way of translating Il n'y a point d'eau potable à Longwood, they say "There is no water fit for cooking at Longwood" Its very odd anybody should be so ignorant in these days.⁷ I suppose they thought potable must have reference to the Pot of Marmite. Y^r account of Sir Gerard Noel ⁸ amused me very much. I believe he is cracked. His wife you know is that methodistical Lady Barham who lives at Fairy Hill⁹ & does so much mischief by preventing the people des alentours. ¹⁰ Why don't you tell me if you are happy & what Books of Amusement you read.