Lacock Abbey
Friday May 18
My dear Henry
Mr Blomfield 1 called on Monday, & begged to suggest a possible difficulty about changing the Chapel bell 2 – He feared that a good toned bell would not be procured of the same size & weight as the present one – in which case the Masonry would have to be altered – and perhaps the wall itself might be found insufficient in strength to support a heavier bell – Of course this question must be submitted to a competent authority; and I settled with Mr B. to do nothing previous to your return, further than to ascertain whether the parishioners in general dislike the present Bell – He mentioned with regret that his Pupil is going to leave him – and implied that the diminution to their income would be a very serious embarrassment to them. He said, he should feel extremely obliged if we had the opportunity of making it known to any one in want of education for their boys, that he should gladly receive them – He would prefer having several pupils – terms £100 per annum. Ages preferred, from 8 or 9 thereabouts, to 13 or 14. I think it would be quite safe to recommend Mr & Mrs B’s establishment,3 as far as both of them being agreeable and cheerful, & of comfortable habits, (to all appearance:) too young certainly to have any experience in th what they are desirous of undertaking, – but it would be scarcely fair to pronounce them incompetent on that account, for all must have a beginning – Mrs Blomfield has a particularly amiable & pleasant manner – perhaps some of those numerous Digbys 4 might be glad of this opening, if you could name Mr Blomfield to Ld Ilchester 5 – Do you mean that there are 9 boys? I am glad you approve of Charles 6 learning to draw – & I will write to him about it today – Mlle A 7 had a few lines from Caroline 8 this morning – she has decided nothing about coming here – and will of course leave us in doubt till the last moment.
We have very warm weather today, with a threatening sky, between bright intervals of sunshine – I hope it portends more decided rain than we have hitherto had. Some 2 or 3 times it has rained lightly since you left home –
Your affectionate
Constance.
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