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'Abbe 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 _a 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. ALINGTON PLATE SELECTION.