TALBOT2439

Markeaton ¹
20^th October 1832

My Dear Mother

You wish me to write pour vous distraire ² so I will ask you what you think of the aspect of the political horizon. I see the clouds of war gathering rapidly. In France the new government seems weak, and is violently assailed. The French papers say in their inimitable phraseology The 11^th October will be the 8^th August of the Royalty of July. This being interpreted means that Soult’s ³ ministry will be as fatal to Louis Philippe ⁴ as Polignac’s ⁵ was to Charles 10^th. ⁶

The Tory newspapers speak exultingly of the successful canvasses of their party, that Sir R. Vyvyan ⁷ will be returned for Bristol without a contest, Protheroe ⁸ having already resigned in despair, &c. They talk confidently of upsetting L^d Grey’s ⁹ ministry & beating him through his own bill Some of the ministers seem at a great loss how to get seats in the new parliament. Palmerston ¹⁰ is oscillating between Falmouth, Lambeth, and Hampshire, looking first at one & then at the other. Poulett Thompson ¹¹ is trying Manchester, but is afraid to declare it openly because it would offend his constituents of Dover, where he still thinks he has some chance of reelection. He will fall to the ground between two stools. – In this house they are moderate Tories – I see no newspaper but the Standard but then it has the grace to quote the leading article of the Times & Chronicle. ¹² – If it did not do this I should be quite in the dark. It is wonderful how arriéré a few days losing a newspaper makes one feel in politics, in these busy days. Give my affectionate love to Caroline ¹³ & believe me

Yours ever
Henry

Lady E. Feilding
31 Sackville S^t
London