My dear Henry

I was sorry to miss you today but I could have told you no news, as L^d L ^<1> says the D. of W. ^<2> is to remain at the Ministry till Sir R^t. Peel ^<3> arrives which will be the end of next week it is expected – the D. drove to Downing S^t as soon as he was sworn in & sent for all the Keys, & the Boxes the latter were hardly emptied so very little time was allowed to clear out. L^d Erroll ^<4> has [illegible] much to the [K^s?] & they envy the Q^ns discomfiture –

She sent her own private favorite & Sec^y to fetch Sir Rob^t & I fancy is rather proud of what she has achieved & does not disdain it. I expect L^d L next week. I had a letter rect^y from your Mother ^<5>

[illegible valediction]
LL

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Notes:

1. Henry Petty Fitzmaurice, 3^rd Marquess of Lansdowne (1780–1863), MP, WHFT’s uncle.

2. Arthur Wellesley, 1^st Duke of Wellington (1769–1852) In Peel's second cabinet, he was appointed Secretary Without Portfolio and Leader of the House of Lords.

3. Sir Robert Peel (1788–1850), Prime Minister from 10 Dec 1834 - 8 Apr 1835 and from 30 Aug 1841 - 29 Jun 1846.

4. William George Hay Errol, 17^th Earl of Erroll (1801–1846), Lord Steward from 1839-1841.

5. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.