Castle Combe. <1>
January 5th 1833
Dear Talbot,
When I wrote to congratulate you on your election I had not the slightest notion that I ought to have added my gratulations on a still more interesting event which was, at or about that very moment, taking place – You are indeed a lucky fortune’s favorite to have secured at the same time the possession of a safe and easy seat in the House of C. and of (as I hear from the Report of the Bowood <2> Ballists) a fair and amiable bride. You must forgive a little feeling of envy in the minds of your less favored friends – Mine, however, will not prevent my taking an early opportunity of driving over to Lacock with Mrs Scrope <3> to beg an introduction to Mrs Talbot, <4> which we hope will be granted. By the by, I must not let her know, I suppose, that on the 26th Decr, but a few days after your marriage, <5> you wrote me a letter, <6> with not containing one syllable from which I could have inferred that you were anything but a lone batchelor <sic>, wooing the muse or your own thoughts at Richmond.
The elections have turned out admirably – but there will be no little confusion, I take it, before the new legislative elements settle down into order and regular movement. Cobbett <7>and other discordant introductions must for some time disturb the equable and wholesome fermentation of the composition. And the agitation of O’Connell’s <8> long tail must keep up a permanent state of ebullition not very easy to subdue. The Govt should have bought him long since – instead of turning him out to recruit seven other devils of the same kidney. But what can you care for politics in your honeymoon?
Scuse e Addio. <9> Many equally happy New-years to yourself and la Signora Sposa <10> – is the wish of
Ever your’s <sic> truly,
Ge Poulett Scrope
H. F. Talbot Esqe MP.
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. Castle Combe, Wiltshire, 7 mi NW of Lacock.
2. Bowood House, nr Calne, Wiltshire, 5 mi NE of Lacock: seat of the Marquess of Lansdowne.
3. Emma Phipps Scrope.
4. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
5. WHFT married on 20th December 1832.
6. Letter not located.
7. William Cobbett (1762–1835).
8. Daniel O’Connell (1775–1847), politician, Irish nationalist.
9. Excuse me and good bye.
10. The Lady Wife.