My dear Henry
Pray give my Love to your Daughter Matilda,<1> & tell her that I wish her a long life of happiness in the state which she is about to enter – I should much like to see her: and, if she comes to London next year, perhaps it may happen –
I am sorry that I was not at home when you called here. I seldom go out till late, & not far from home – but if you should return here, pray give me a line, & I will make a point of being at hand –
I have heard nothing of the ministerial arrangements yet – Lord John & Lord Palmerston seem determined to fight it out;<2> and, if I could feel sure that their Government would be a strong one, I should wish them success.
Pray remember me very kindly to Mrs Talbot, <3> &
believe me Yours very affectly
C. Lemon
Burlington Hotel
Cork St
June 12th
Notes:
1. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, née Talbot (25 Feb 1839-1927), 'Tilly', WHFT's 3rd daughter.
2. Lord John Russell (1792-1878), later 1st Earl Russell, minister and prime minister; Henry John Temple, Lord Palmerston, (1784-1865), minister and prime minister. They formed an alliance to succeed Lord Derby’s administration in' 1859.
3. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (30 Jan 1811 - 9 Sep 1880), m. WHFT 20 Dec 1832.