the county got in last night and we rejoiced greatly, as the moral
effect will help Harry Cust greatly. His election takes place next
Monday. The men went in to hear the vote declared after dinner, and so
did two of the girls, who got Lady Brownlow's consent at dinner, and
then dashed off to change their gowns before she could change her mind.
As we were intent on seeing the fun and didn't want them, we took them
just where we would have gone anyway, which was where the fighting was.
And they showed real sporting blood and saw the other real sort. There
were three of us to each girl, and it was most exciting, with stones
flying and windows crashing and cheers and groans. A political meeting
or election at home is an afternoon tea to the English ones. When we
came back the soldiers were leaving the Park to stop the row, and as we
flew past, the tenants ran to the gate and cheered for the Tory victory
in "good old lopes." When we got to the house the servants ran
cheering all over the shop and rang the alarm bell and built fires, and
we had a supper at one-fifteen. What they will do on the night of
Cust's election, I cannot imagine-- burn the house down probably.
Cushing and I enjoy it immensely. We know them well enough now to be
as funny as we like without having them stare. They are nice when you
know them, but you've GOT to know them first. I had a great dinner at
Farrar's. All the ecclesiastical lights of England in knee-breeches
were there, and the American Minister and Phillips Brooks. It was
quite novel and fun. Lots of love. I have all the money I want.

DICK.

With Cust properly elected, Richard and I returned to the Albany and
settled down to enjoy London from many angles. Although my brother had
been there but a few weeks, his acquaintances among the statesmen,
artists, social celebrities, and the prominent actors of the day was
quite as extraordinary as his geographical and historical knowledge of
the city. We gave many jolly parties, and on account of Richard's
quickly acquired popularity were constantly being invited to dinners,
dances, and less formal but most amusing Bohemian supper-parties.
During these days there was little opportunity for my brother to do
much writing, but he was very busy making mental notes not only for his
coming book on the English people, but for a number of short stories
which he wrote afterward in less strenuous times. We returned to New
York in August, and