Markeaton
Easter Tuesday
My dear Henry
I fear that a letter which I wrote to Constance <1> nearly a fortnight ago must by some mischance have gone wrong, or I think she would not have delayed assuring us of her sympathy at any rate in the approaching Election – whether she approves or otherwise of her Brother <2> having been prevailed upon again to stand for the I. Division of this County –
I sent in the said letter a message of congratulations to you, but my thoughts so often revert to the approaching marriage of dear Matilda <3> that I cannot refrain from expecting them, & assuring you my own self of our heartfelt wishes for her happiness –
How Time does fly! –
It sees impossible that you & Constance can be intending to have a Daughter married – for it appears like yesterday when you married, & only like the day before when you & I used to learn Spanish together (after a fashion peculiarly our own!) & go walking all over the Heath together & to the bottom of Culpepers Bowl &c &c &c <4>
I am impatient to become acquainted with Mr Clark who I am sure must be a charming & clever person to be so generally liked: to say nothing of your own approval of Matilda’s choice. –
Mr Mundy & Noel <5> are, as usual, canvassing & are going to Melbourne & Calke Abbey <6> Today. They have had good weather untill [sic] yesterday when it poured all day, which was particularly unlucky as their tour was amongst the Lead Mines & Pits &c towards the Peak where it is hilly and bleak. – Of course it is impossible not to be much flattered & gratified by the warm manner in which Mr Mundy has been solicited to come forwards, & by the kind expressions of so many friends but he accepted very reluctantly & I am naturally nervous & anxious lest his exertions should be too much for his health now that there is a Contest. – Pray let me hear from you & tell me any particulars you can think of, for everything you are doing or about to do will be sure to interest me. –
With love to Constance & my Nieces <7> Believe me
Your affte Cousin & sister
H G Mundy
Notes:
1. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (30 Jan 1811 - 9 Sep 1880), m. WHFT 20 Dec 1832.
2. William Mundy (1801-1877). He had been the Conservative MP for South Derbyshire from 1849-1857. He was canvassing for the election of May 1859, succeeded, and sat until 1865.
3. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, née Talbot (25 Feb 1839-1927), 'Tilly', WHFT's 3rd daughter; m. 16 June 1859, John Henry Gilchrist-Clark (1830-1881), 'Jack', Scottish JP.
4. Culpeper’s Bowl (or Dish) was a sinkhole on Briantspuddle Heath, near Moreton, Dorset, where the Framptons lived.
5. Francis Noel Mundy (1833-1903).
6. Melbourne and Calke Abbey, Derbyshire. The Marquesses of Lothian at Melbourne Hall and the Harpur-Crewe baronets at Caulke Abbey were probable sources of political support.
7. Matilda and Ela Theresa Talbot (25 Apr 1835 - 25 Apr 1893), WHFT's 1st daughter, and Rosamond Constance Talbot (16 Mar 1837 - 7 May 1906), 'Rose'; 'Monie'; artist & WHFT's 2nd daughter; died & buried at San Remo, Italy, with a memorial at Lacock.