Christmas Conservatism -- Great Meeting
(For the Bungay Patriot) London
It having been rumoured among the Members of the Private Conservative Club in the metropolis, that an important Communication was expected by the Founders of that Club, from the Private Conservatives of Bungay, a few of the more influential Members of the London Club assembled, and appointed a Deputation to inquire, and report, concerning the expected Communication.
The Deputation subsequently reported, that they had inquired accordingly, and received the Communication.
The Communication was inspected, and taken into consideration, and a general Meeting was ordered to be summoned, for discussing the same.
Ordered, that the Deputation do forthwith procure and lay before the next General Meeting, additional particulars, for discussion with the Communication received from Bungay.
Friday 25 December 1835
At a General Meeting of the Private
Conservative Club
at their New Rooms 25 Little Bells Alley.
The Communication from Bungay was reported by the Founder of the Club to have been, and to be, of custom, annual — that the same had been annually received from the year 1817 — but that the Communication had not always been duly acknowledged.
Resolved, that after the discussion the same be acknowledged by this Meeting, and that such acknowledgment be signed by the Members present, and transmitted to the private Conservatives of Bungay before this Meeting separate.
The Founder reported that this was a full Meeting of the Club, every Member being present, except their Delegate to Bungay, now happily resident there.2
The Deputation reported, that they had also to lay before the Meeting, other particulars which they had succeeded in procuring, especially a remarkably fine original Legibus Porcibus.
Ordered, that the Communication from Bungay be discussed in conjunction with the Legibus Porcibus, and other matters to be laid before the Meeting.
The Communication from Bungay, with the Legibus Porcibus, and other particulars were forthwith, and conjointly, the Subjects of a most animated and friendly discussion.
Resolved unanimously, That the thanks of this meeting be cordially expressed to the private Conservatives of Bungay for their welcome Communication
Resolved, that in the opinion of this Meeting the best expression of its feelings will be the transmission to Bungay forthwith, and before the adjournment of the Meeting, of these their Minutes, and that the same be forthwith signed by each member of the Club, with a respectful request that the Prime Warden of the Bungay Private Conservatives, do allow the Delegate of this Club now confederating on its behalf at Bungay, to be present at the official reading of these Minutes, which this Meeting transmits accordingly, with the hope that the same will be received with the kind feelings, which they earnestly desire to reciprocate with their honoured friends the Private Conservatives of Bungay.
[This image of the final page of the letter will give a clearer sense of the improvisitory quality of Hone's document.]
Note. The five last, I mean the four, are Grandchildren of the Founders.
Witness. The Blackbird [hand] Will you take a pinch of Snuff? -- here it is.
P.S. The Foundress thinks this will not be understood. She says there are no respects to Mrs Childs, nothing that there should be about the season, and other proper things. She sits complaining by the fireside. She thinks her love ought to be sent to Sam. She growls, "it ought."
