TALBOT3260

Sunday night April 24 -

My dear Henry

I must write one line before I go to bed to say that I have advanced to Nurse ¹ 5 shillings of her wages at her particular request - because she has left all her money at Lacock & does not like to be totally unprovided for during her journey. - I have also given her 2 shillings besides the money for her coach fare, because my Father ² says she will require it for the coachmen of which there are two, & who always expect a shilling from every outside passenger - I did not tell Nurse that you would present her with the amount of her journey because I do could not feel sure of your intentions - but I dare say she hopes that you will. - It is not usual to do so when a Servant leaves at her own desire - but when dismissed, perhaps there is a difference. - Nurse is very much cast down at parting with us; & my attempts this evening attempts to console & give her good advice, made her so nervous & lagrimose [sic], that I was compelled to desist - I hope my packet enclosed to the Foreign office today will reach you in safety - I forgot to congratulate you on the prospect of meeting with a successor to James. ³ - If you engage him on the same terms - viz giving wages without clothing, you will of course stipulate that he should provide himself with a black suit in the first instance. - There is very little difference in the cost I believe. -

You have not told me whether I should direct my answer to Horatia ⁴ at Paris - I conclude it is time now to do so - I must still put M^r Feilding's ⁵ name on the envelope to the Suisse of course - but whose must I put on that to M^r Strangways? ⁶ - Your's [sic] I suppose - otherwise how can he tell who it comes from - pray enlighten my mind speedily, for I really feel anxious to write to Horatia - Is M^r Montgomerie ⁷ gone over expressly to join them? -

Adieu - I must go to bed for it is late - & I shall be up a little sooner in the morning to wish Nurse good bye - Ela is very well, but growing shockingly fat upon her new diet - what shall we do with her? - I am sure she weighs about half as much again as she did a fortnight ago -

Your affectionate
Constance. -

What a wet Sunday we have had!

Henry Fox Talbot Esq^re
31. Sackville Street