To Major John Vickery, Saltash House

Dear Vickery,

the Peninsula seems to have made me constitutionally unsuited for a London Season. I've lost all my stamina (and patience), so after more than two weeks of constant engagements, I'll beat a dignified retreat to Walham Court and will go hunting instead. Should you wish for a similar respite from the Marriage Mart, you're heartily invited. The Beaufort Hunt will meet on the 3rd of November, and Somerset said we are more than welcome to join them; should you wish for some sport before, there is enough game for decent shooting and my father's pack to get back into practice.

I will be leaving the day after tomorrow and most likely stay in Gloucestershire for the rest of the year - just drop me a note if you want to come at any point. No need to stand on ceremony, it will be quite a private party. By the way, should you happen to meet any of our friends, feel free to pass the invitation on; Hunter has done a marvelous job of disappearing from the face of the earth again (an attitude I can quite understand at the moment) and I'm not even sure whether Padstowe is back in England at all.

I shall hope to hear from you soon and to see you on the back of a hunter not long after,
Your most obedient servant,

Torrington