"Allow me to offer you, Lady Watkin, and your dear son and daughter, my sincere and heartfelt congratulations on the bestowal on you of so well deserved a distinction. You must bear in mind that I do not forget that the honor so recently bestowed on you would have been conferred on you a long time ago, had not your generous feelings towards me prompted you at one time to decline the same distinction. Lady Cartier and my daughters gladly unite with me in this expression of congratulation, which I now offer you, Lady Watkin, and your son and daughter. I hope that your future election will not give you much trouble, and that Canada and the British people will have again the benefit of your presence in Parliament. "I may see you before long in England. Be kind enough to accept for you and Lady Watkin the assurance of the kindest regards of myself, Lady Cartier, and my daughters, "And, believe me, my dear Sir Edward, "Yours very truly, "GEO. ET. CARTIER. "Sir EDWARD W. WATKIN, M.P., Kt., London." "London, "Westminster Palace Hotel, "_20th November_, 1868. "My dear Sir Edward, "You cannot conceive how sorrowful I feel that the result of the election in Stockport was adverse to you. I was watching the incidents and proceedings connected with that election with such an interest and with such sure hope that you would be successful. You have no idea of my grief and disappointment when I became aware of your defeat. Our friend Brydges has mentioned to me some of the _causes_ which have militated against you amongst your constituents, viz. your having attended at the laying of the corner stone of a Roman Catholic School, and your drinking the health of the 'Pope' at the _lunch_ which _ensued_, and also the _displeasure_ which you have _incurred from Mr. Bright_ and some of his friends for not having supported _him_ in _his motion_ for Nova Scotia against the Confederation. I have already written to some of my colleagues in Canada to let them know there the _'liberality'_ of these pretended 'Liberals' here. I hope you will not remain a long time _out_ of _Parliament_, and that very soon some vacancy will occur which will give you an opportunity to be re-elected, and to serve and _advocate_ again in the Imperial Parliament, not only the interests of the _three British Isles_, but also the Colonial interests, and particularly those of the Dominion of Canada, to which you have always attended with such ability, zeal, and ardour, that you have now the everlasting gratitude of every Canadian. I hope your electoral _contretems_ will not deter you from your political pursuits. I would have had such a pleasure in congratulating Lady Watkin on your electoral success.