London
May 10 –
Dear Talbot –
I was very sorry on the receipt of your letter not to be able to return such an answer as would be of service to you in your late honorable struggle at Chippenham <1> – But the Reform Committee was only just formed and the few hundred pounds collected were instantly distributed – so that I was aware that any help sent to Chippenham would come too late – Since, however, we have been in activity we have been of much service to the great cause; and, as you may have seen by our advertisements have kept up a running fire from one end of the country to the other –
Chippenham, when I knew Wiltshire, was always a bad place to deal with – and I suppose is not much better now – It was, nevertheless very spirited in you to make an effort and I hope you have paved the way to future success –
Except in Buckinghamshire the cause has prospered wonderfully
Very truly your’s [sic]
John C. Hobhouse
[envelope]
London May ten 1831
Henry Fox Talbot Esq-
Laycock Abbey
Chippenham
Wilts
31 Sackville Street
Piccadilly
London
John C Hobhouse
Notes:
1. Chippenham, Wiltshire: largest town near Lacock, 3 miles N.