My rest at the seaside has done me such a world of good that I feel
more lazy than ever! But I fear I am in danger of a relapse into
excitement, owing to a letter I received a few days ago from an old
military friend of mine, General ELECTION, in which he asks me to lend
my _invaluable_ assistance in "canvassing" for his nephew, the Hon.
CHARLIE HULLOTHERE, who is standing for Sheepsdoor.--Ah, how little
did I think that my reference to "canvas" shoes in my last letter
would be so prophetic! The General is very gallant, and fully
appreciates the usefulness of women in canvassing; and, in order
to be quite "up to date," I have ordered in a large supply of
gingerbread-nuts and oyster-shells, which I observe (see daily papers)
are distributed as marks of respect among Candidates and their wives!
Having also heard that a Brass Band is indispensable (the more brass
it is, the better), I have made friendly overtures (_musical_,
of course) to the Sheepsdoor Purveyors of Brassharmony, with the
flattering result that they now conclude every performance with my
specially composed "_Election War Cry_"--the refrain of which is most
effective when given by a chorus of trained Constituents!--
HullLo-there!
HullLo-there!
He's the man for us;
We respect him!
We'll elect him!
And we might do wuss!!
In fact, our Candidate is very popular, and is sure to "romp in
an easy winner"--which is another puzzling racing expression, as,
although I've seen plenty of horses indulge in a game of romps before
the start (notably, _L'Abbé Morin_, in the "City"), they seem to have
had more than enough of it before the finish!
I hear from Newmarket, that I missed an extremely pleasant week's
racing--and although my selection for the Stud Produce Stakes was
rather wide of the mark, I fairly hit the bullseye--(what a painful
operation this must be for the bull)--in my one "_Song from the
Birdcage_," which I warbled in the ear of a racing friend whom I met
down here; it was _à propos_ of the July Stakes and ran thus:--
The night was dark when "_Portland Bill_" escaped by Chesil Beach!
And hope beat high within his heart, that he the goal might reach!
For "_Milford_" Haven lies in sight!--one effort and he's there!
But see!--At last--he's caught!--he's passed!--just by the Judge's
Chair!
Which really remarkable prophecy was fully borne out by the race, in
fact, so close a description might almost have been written _after the
race_--a great compliment to my powers of divination!
Next week takes us to Bibury and Stockbridge. and if this hot weather
continues, the motto of the Club should be, "_Dum vivo Bibere_"--or,
freely translated--"_Half_ the soda, please!" The race to which
I propose to give my attention is the Alington Plate, and as I am
nothing if not thorough, you will see that my tip is influenced by my
being at the Seaside?
Yours devotedly, LADY GAY.