TALBOT2500

Lacock Abbey
Thursday

My Dear M^r F.

So far from the Election taking place tomorrow it is doubtful whether it will be before Wednesday; I therefore regret very much my mother’s¹ last letter to you, and further that you will lose the opportunity of going to Town as you intended. I wonder Horatia² decided against a scheme which would have given her 4 or 5 days of Caroline’s³ society. Fires have been lighted in your rooms; dinner ordered, and Delorme ⁴ has laid in a stock of provisions –

Chippenham⁵ is quite quiet, no scrawling on the walls, scarcely a placard, no shouting and little bell ringing. My opponent Mayne⁶ not having yet appeared or announced his coming, rumours are arising that he means to shirk the contest to avoid paying his share of the expense of the hustings! He is very unpopular with the better class of Electors, for as a farmer observed to me “we do hear but a middlenish sound of he”. I am tired with riding all over the country in search of the scattered habitations of the voters. No opposition at Calne to Kerry,⁷ nor at Malmsbury to Andover.⁸ Great quarrelling at Marlborough where L^d Ailesbury⁹ insists upon returning both members.

Yours aff^tly
Henry Talbot

Capt. Feilding R.N.
Melbury¹⁰
Dorchester
Dorset