TALBOT788

Normanton ¹ n^r Stamford,
Jan^ry 31^st 1818

Dear Sir,

As you told me that the Examination for Pitt's Scholarship ² was to begin on the 26^th, I conclude that you have been one Week undergoing the fiery Trial, and I feel very anxious to know if you have acquitted yourself to your own Satisfaction. If you should have a moment's Leisure will you do me the Favor to write? - I had the Pleasure of seeing M^r Feilding ³ in London, who expressed himself very happy at your being a Candidate. M^r Feilding has given your Pony to the Marquis of Lansdowne, ⁴ who was to have sent for it on Wednesday or Thursday last, but the Servant has not yet arrived.

I left with M^r Feilding the small Paper of Seed, which I could not find in my Pocket when I was with you, but which afterwards I discovered in a Book. The Name upon the Paper is wrong: it is there written Convolvulus, but my Sister says it is the "creeping Campanula", which grows in the Hedges. -

I brought young Copley ⁵ back with me: He is to go to Harrow ⁶ either at Easter or at Whitsuntide, according as the Harrow Vacation may be. Is it at Easter or at Whitsuntide? - He has now a beautiful Pony, which he can ride and likes very much. -

When I was in London, I called upon Lord Winchilsea and M^r Finch, ⁷ but both were out. I understood Miss Finch (Lord W's Sister) continued much [missing text]⁸ same. -

Nothing is stirring in this Part of the Country, which I think can be interesting to you. Lord Exeter's Sister, Lady Sophia Cecil, ⁹ is soon to be married to M^r Henry Pierrepoint, a Brother of Lord Manvers. ¹⁰ -

Lord Lonsdale's ¹¹ Family still remain at Cottesmore, but the other great People have left the Neighbourhood for a Time.

You may conclude how little I know of Cambridge-Affairs from my not having heard yet who is the Senior Wrangler. -

Y^r's most faithfully,
Thomas Kaye Bonney.

W. H. F. Talbot Esq^re
Trinity College
Cambridge