TALBOT2517

Melbury ¹
Thursday
Dec^r 13^th

My dear Henry

I wish you joy of your election – I am so delighted it is over & you are really in Parliament which I have longed for so many years. There is the first good effect of the Reform bill ² – Papa ³ thanks you for your letter & announcement of the joyful news – I think to be elected & married all at the same time is too much good fortune for one man. As I conclude you are in town, I will not put the rest of the family to an unnecessary expense of postage, but trust to you for informing them that we are safe & well, & I will do myself the honor of writing to Mama ⁴ tomorrow. They are coming back from Redlynch ⁵ today or tomorrow & Aunt H. & Louisa ⁶ are expected tomorrow. It is supposed there will be no contest for Dorsetshire, & that L^d Ashley, W. Bankes M^r Ponsonby ⁷ will come in quietly – I envy Mama & Caroline ⁸ the first sight of Constance ⁹ very much, but I hope soon to make up for it when we meet at Laycock – how I shall think of you next Thursday, & pray for your happiness dear Henry – Pray give my love to Mama & Caroline –

your very aff^te sister
Horatia

I always forgot to thank you for that aimable ¹⁰ letter you wrote to Amandier with which she was very much touchée ¹¹

W. Henry Fox Talbot Esq^re
31 Sackville Street
London