TALBOT858

Cambridge ¹
26^th Dec^r 1819

I was very glad to see your handwriting again, I wish I saw it a little oftener. Why don't you let me know where your residence in Paris is? I don't like directing to that place in Sackville S^{t 2} because I am afraid they may forget to forward it. I wish you would send me your opinions on politics and things in general, for Cambridge is rather dull, as you may suppose, and your letters would enliven me. My chief solace is the Quarterly Review; for the Edinburgh, ³ at least all I have yet read, is I think very poor. There are however several of my friends here who are going to take their degrees. Edward Murray, & Worsley ⁴ who I think will be high, and I am very anxious about it. There are only four or five of the Scholars in residence now, so we have very hard work; for you must know that it is the duty of the scholars, in consideration of the emoluments they enjoy, to read grace to the Fellows after dinner & supper, which keeps one waiting a long while. The Grace is in Latin, & curious enough, mentioning Henry the eighth, "Henricus Stanton, ⁵ & our other benefactors." The winter is rather severe, much more so than the two last. I pity the people who are in Baffin's Bay. ⁶ The proceedings in Parliament have very little interest with me, the Ministers have it so entirely their own way. Does any of the Whigs mean to move distinctly for an enquiry into the Manchester affair? ⁷ The article in the Quarterly about the Cape, seems to be written by M^r Barrow. ⁸ I should think an English ploughboy would not much like the thoughts of having to deal with the lions of Caffraria. ⁹ -

Do you ever notice how bright Mars is now, of a night? I looked at him with my glass, and saw him round like the Moon. This requires a considerable magnifying power, for a small glass does not shew any disk. M^r Bonney ¹⁰ & his sister have been here for a week. The weather is now very severe & it is no joke going to Chapel in the snow to r[ead] the lessons at seven o'clock in the morning.

Have you read Ivanhoe? ¹¹ I have no time to read it now & have merely gazed upon the outside. By the report of all who read it, it is very good. My love to M^r F. & my sisters ¹² - I have heard nothing of Penrice ¹³ lately, they don't answer my letters. Tell me what they are doing. Also what you are doing and going to do, it is strange how long since I heard from you - I am in excellent health, rather tired of reading Greek, &

your aff^te Son
W. H. F. Talbot

The Lady Elisabeth Feilding
2 Sackville S^t London
To be forwarded to Paris