TALBOT7612

Markeaton
Easter Tuesday

My dear Henry

I fear that a letter which I wrote to Constance ¹ nearly a fortnight ago must by some mischance have gone wrong, or I think she would not have delayed assuring us of her sympathy at any rate in the approaching Election – whether she approves or otherwise of her Brother ² having been prevailed upon again to stand for the I. Division of this County –

I sent in the said letter a message of congratulations to you, but my thoughts so often revert to the approaching marriage of dear Matilda ³ that I cannot refrain from expecting them, & assuring you my own self of our heartfelt wishes for her happiness –

How Time does fly! –

It sees impossible that you & Constance can be intending to have a Daughter married – for it appears like yesterday when you married, & only like the day before when you & I used to learn Spanish together (after a fashion peculiarly our own!) & go walking all over the Heath together & to the bottom of Culpepers Bowl &c &c &c ⁴

I am impatient to become acquainted with M^r Clark who I am sure must be a charming & clever person to be so generally liked: to say nothing of your own approval of Matilda’s choice. –

M^r Mundy & Noel ⁵ are, as usual, canvassing & are going to Melbourne & Calke Abbey ⁶ Today. They have had good weather untill [sic] yesterday when it poured all day, which was particularly unlucky as their tour was amongst the Lead Mines & Pits &c towards the Peak where it is hilly and bleak. – Of course it is impossible not to be much flattered & gratified by the warm manner in which M^r Mundy has been solicited to come forwards, & by the kind expressions of so many friends but he accepted very reluctantly & I am naturally nervous & anxious lest his exertions should be too much for his health now that there is a Contest. – Pray let me hear from you & tell me any particulars you can think of, for everything you are doing or about to do will be sure to interest me. –

With love to Constance & my Nieces ⁷ Believe me

Your aff^te Cousin & sister
H G Mundy