[COYNE] THE TALBOT PAPERS 105 
solitary) as they have never been peopled. My Uncle Wm. is very 
well & at Bath where he is entirely confined with my Grandfather who 
is declining I think very fast. We had letters from Henry last month 
he is very well & has been kept. marching and fighting ever since he 
went out. I fear our possessions there are in a very bad way & our 
tenure very uncertain. But I am sick of Polyticks. I suppose you 
know Cobbet is in jail; he is writing away more bitter than ever. I 
hope you will write often to your very sincere friend 
W. M. Smytu. 
Since writing the enclosed, I have received a note from Miss Beau- 
fort which I enclose you as you have there all I can do for you. I 
am truly sorry your request cant be granted, but it cant be helped. 
Lord Wellington I find has had an engagement with Massena in which 
he killed 2000 french Men. Our loss is small, but another battle is 
daily expected. I hope you will not again let so long an interval 
elapse without writing to me & you know I dont mind postage. Jackson 
is settled in Jamaica. I forget if I mentioned it before he is in a 
house of his Uncle’s. I know of nothing new to tell you as I am 
entirely engrossed by my own business at present. This will travel 
many a mile before you touch it, & when I think what a miserable pro- 
duction it is I am tempted to put it on the fire, however I depend on 
your good nature for my excuse and remain as always your sincere 
friend, 
W. M. SMYTH, 
23d. October, 1810. 
(Enclosed in letter of W. M. Smyth, dated 20-23 Oct., 1810.) 
My Dear Maria, 
When my father came home last night I propounded your request 
he says it would be impossible for him to draw a threshing machine, 
as it is rather too complicated for a drawing to explain so as to be of 
use for erecting. A model he thinks would be very expensive and of 
little use, as the proportions are seldom properly preserved, he thinks 
that the best method would be to buy a threshing machine, to be worked 
by hand, which are tq be had exceeding good for 20 guineas at Mr. 
McDougal’s, in Coventry Street, Hay Market, London. One of these will 
thresh at the rate of 20 barrels of oats and 8 barrels of wheat pr. day & 
tho’ made to be worked by men, can at a triflng expense, be made to 
