Melbury ^<1>
Tuesday Dec^r 11^th

My dear Henry

I am very sorry to see that tiresome M^r Mayne ^<2> is going to stand – I thought he would not come to the point. I am very anxious to know the event tho’ I suppose there is no doubt of your success – & hope you will bestow on me one of your first franks –

If Constance ^<3> did like riding in winter I should be most happy to offer her my Waterwitch, which carries me beautifully, whenever she likes it. Uncle Harry ^<4> went to Redlynch ^<5> this morng to shoot – I believe Aunt Harriet & Louisa ^<6> come to-morrow – You have not yet told us where you are to be married but I conclude it will be in town as you talk of going to Richmond –

Addio fratello carissimo, ^<7> God bless you & make you very happy

your aff^te sister
Horatia

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Notes:

1. Melbury, Dorset: one of the Fox Strangways family homes; WHFT was born there.

2. John Mayne. [See Doc. No: 02500].

3. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), who would marry WHFT on 20 December.

4. Henry Stephen Fox Strangways, 3rd Earl of Ilchester (1787–1858).

5. Redlynch, Somerset, seat of the Earls of Ilchester (Barons of Redlynch).

6. Lady Harriet Frampton, née Fox Strangways (d. 1844) and Louisa Charlotte Frampton.

7. Goodbye dearest brother.