TALBOT2493

Melbury ¹

My dear Henry.

I am in entire ignorance as to the day of the Dissolution, though I suppose it is to be soon (today the Papers say) & also of the Day fixed for the Election at Chippenham ² – Your Mother ³ says my being at Lacock on Thursday will do perfectly on that Day therefore expect us – If it is later than you would have wished it is owing to the want of that useful article matter of Fact, in your mothers letter – if she had simply said – Parliament will be dissolved such a day – Henry goes such a day & the election is fixed for such another day – & wants you before – I should have been better able to judge for myself what to do, as it is I obey the only thing positive in her letter by going to L. on Thursday is the hope of doing what you wish – I have written to her to propose a scheme, which will give great Pleasure if adopted to Car. & Hor ⁴ both, which is that you & Hor. & I should go up together in the Britchka ⁵ after the election paying 1/3 each – & that we 2 should return in the Chariot ⁶ with your Mother, after the Xtening, ⁷ or if that & the election clash, after the 2 sisters have passed 4 or 5 days together. it would also have the advantage of accelerating our making the acquaintances with Constance ⁸ &c. in short I think it a good Plan, & see no difficulty – & the expence not great as Sackville S^{t 9} w^d hold us very well, & we sh^d return for nothing –

Y^r aff
C. F.

Tell Delorme ¹⁰ we shall be at Lacock to Dinner Thursday but that the servants will not be at House keeping & if you know the day of election you can also tell him the day we shall leave to enable him to make his arrangements, the day after I suppose unless you have a Dinner at Chippenham or something to keep you a couple of Days more – This of course you will know – I anticipate no objection to my London scheme on the part of your Mother – if you write to ask her what she thinks of it you will know before we meet whether she accedes or not –

God bless you
Y^r aff
C.F.

Monday–