TALBOT2497

Sackville Street ¹
December 6^th

My dear Henry

Thank you for having sent me your address – I think it a remarkably eloquent specimen of chum wa hum ² & have no doubt it will produce due effect on the Chippenham ³ Electors – I was rather startled by the sudden turn against sudden changes towards the end, & only hope it may not cause as sudden a reaction in the mind of your constituency. – Mamma ⁴ brought Constance ⁵ to see me yesterday as you had arranged – she payed me a very short visit & spoke very little, but still I had time to see that her manner was very pleasing, gentle & lady-like, & she herself extremely pretty, a great deal more so than I had expected, as you said very little about her beauty – quant à moi, I can only say I do not think I was repelling, which you seemed so much to apprehend, & certainly Mamma’s manner was remarkably gracious. From Papa’s ⁶ last letter, it appears he had given up the idea of joining you at Laycock Abbey, thinking the Election was to take place Friday, & that it would not be worth while – but Mamma is writing to him at this moment to re-advise him to go there, & if he agrees to do so at once, he may reach Laycock Saturday evening, & by that means put into execution a plan which we have all been corresponding about, & which Mamma has this instant told me has not yet been communicated to you. Le voici: ⁷ that your Horatia ⁸ should accompany you to London as soon as the Election is over, & by that means see the Baby ⁹ & be present at the Xening ¹⁰ – Papa thought of coming too, but I believe has not made up his mind yet – was not this une idée lumineuse? ¹¹ & the expence would be very slight, as Mamma must have post horses to return, whether she goes alone or with Papa & Horatia – It would also save the expence of another journey to London to see me before we go abroad, which Papa had promised; for otherw[ise]¹² Mamma wishes to remain at Laycock Abb[ey] till after Easter. I hope this scheme may succeed – I should like extremely to have you all at the Christening, & Horatia is dying to embrace her nipotino ¹³ & is very jealous at being the last to see him. Addio carissimo fratello mio ¹⁴ – if you have time write me a little word –

Y^r aff^te Sister
Caroline