Your father is very surprizing if he persists in standing at Huntingdon; but there is nothing surprizing in such a world as this." Later in August Lady Mary wrote again on the same subject, and this letter shows that she had been at pains to acquire some practical knowledge of borough-mongering.
"You seem not to have received my letters, or not to have understood them; you had been chose undoubtedly at York, if you had declared in time; but there is not any gentleman or tradesman disengaged at this time; they are treating every night.

Lord Carlisle and the Thompsons have given their interest to Mr.Jenkins.I agree with you of the necessity of your standing this Parliament, which, perhaps, may be more considerable than any that are to follow it; but, as you proceed, 'tis my opinion, you will spend your money and not be chose.

I believe there is hardly a borough unengaged.

I expect every letter should tell me you are sure of some place; and, as far as I can perceive you are sure of none.

As it has been managed, perhaps it will be the best way to deposit a certain sum in some friend's hands, and buy some little Cornish borough: it would, undoubtedly, look better to be chose for a considerable town; but I take it to be now too late.