Bowood <1>
Christmas Day 1845
My Dear Henry
I originally fixed to go to Brighton entirely because you wished it & I don’t know why you have taken to wandering on the coast instead of taking a comfortable house with us. However I do not intend to change my mind any more this winter & shall therefore depart on the 6th or 7th – and therefore pray let me know your plans – There is a large party here, but certainly not a gay one. Lady Palmerston <2> always charming, stays till Saturday She pays as short visits as you do. I have consented to stay here as long as she does. I must stay one whole day in London for a Dentist, & I mean to be a Month at Brighton Lord Auckland <3> & his Sister are here & Lord Crewe, Mr Rogers, Mr Luttrell, <4> the Shelburnes <5> & Lady King & sposo –
This letter is matter of fact
Vale <6>
We have a great deal of conversation about the late public events, <7> three of the principal actors on the political scene being actually here & it is very amusing, with all the anecdotes they have to tell – To day was very dark & I think you could not enjoyed [sic] Worthing much or wherever you might be. We received the Sacrament in the Chapel here by candle light
affly yrs
E F
Notes:
1. Bowood House, nr Calne, Wiltshire, 5 mi NE of Lacock: seat of the Marquess of Lansdowne.
2. Lady Emily Lamb Palmerston (1787–1869).
3. George Eden, 1st Earl of Auckland (1784–1849), Governor General of India.
4. Henry Luttrell (d. 1851), poet.
5. Sir Henry Petty Fitzmaurice, Lord Shelburne, 4th Marquess of Lansdowne (1816–1866), MP and WHFT's cousin, and his second wife, Hon Emily Jane Mercer-Elphinstone-de Flahault, Baroness Nairne (1819-1895).
6. Farewell.
7. The resignation of Sir Robert Peel as prime minister and Lord John Russell’s failure to form a ministry (this would have included Lord Palmerston), and Peel’s return to power.