TALBOT3588

Lacock Abbey
Tuesday Sep^r 19. –

My dear Henry

I have been re-considering the subject of Mary Selman (our present Cook) & have come to the conclusion that she is not exactly the kind of person to suit us under our present circumstances – you know there are some objections to her independant [sic] of her qualifications of as a cook – I think too it would be for her own advantage to leave us & therefore I feel no scruple about it – If she goes, there can be no objection to her Sister who is now Kitchen maid in Sackville St. ¹ remaining in that capacity. – Our own two housemaids will be quite sufficient I think – because Clifford ² requires very little attendance in the Nursery & Anne will be quite equal to that & the duties of under housemaid besides. – Therefore I would recommend not keeping another housemaid in the first instance, but see whether we cannot do without. – Therefore I think if M^rs Gwynne ³ could engage a Cook who would be able to please Lady Elisabeth, ⁴ it would be more satisfactory for us all & save me a great deal of anxiety – Of course I will say nothing to Mary till I hear that you approve of dismissing her – I have no doubt she would be glad to stay until we are suited with another Servant; & afterwards, perhaps I could persuade M^rs Moore ⁵ to take her for a time while she is looking out for a place – I meant to have sent you this – result of my meditations yesterday – but after writing two rather long letters to my Sisters ⁶ at St Leonards & to Harriot, ⁷ I had no spare time & very few spare wits – The time is short now for making new arrangements if you really think Lady Elisabeth will come as soon as you mention. – Still it was a subject that required consideration & could not be decided in a moment – I will do as you wish touching M^r Starkey ⁸ & M^r Paley ⁹ – but I can already tell you that the former is better & the latter performed his usual duties on Sunday, though he was said to be looking ill – Yesterday was so wet after the early part of the morning that I did not get out – & today looks very threatening, but I will set forth if the weather permits, bye & bye – I am sorry dear Harriot felt too unwell to see you – but I am sure she would feel pleased by your calling & take it very kind. – Poor little Bimbo! ¹⁰ what you say makes me feel very anxious about him – pray let me hear how he goes on – I sent a note to Lady Lansdowne ¹¹ on Saturday, & in her answer she very kindly said “I wish we had been going to be alone, & could have had you till Henry’s return.” – Ela’s ¹² lip is much better & the swelling nearly gone down – but she does not look quite well today – I think there are two teeth on the point of coming through.

Rose ¹³ is quite well though she has again been rather ill used by me – I had a very bad head ache on Saturday which quite incapacitated me & obliged me to lie on my bed the greatest part of the day – however I am happy to say we are both going on well again now – both Rose & her Nurse – Little dear! she has borne all her trials admirably – for nothing could be worse for her than all the anxieties & sorrows which we have had lately – & though I have struggled hard against it for her sake, I could not altogether smother the natural feelings of my heart. Dearest Henry I hope there are yet brighter days in reserve for us although the sky seems at present overcast – & I must say I rather dread the approaching winter – but I will do my best; & if any efforts of mine can avail in the slightest degree to minister comfort within to dear Lady Elisabeth or Horatia ¹⁴ I shall feel abundantly satisfied –

I send this through M^r Strangways, ¹⁵ because I wish to enclose an order for my shoe maker, which I must request you to send to the twopenny post – He will send a small parcel to Sackville St for me which I hope you will bring when you come – I also wish you would bring with you some bordered envelopes – for we cannot get them at Melksham ¹⁶ – both sizes are useful – especially the small for notes. – Some good pens w^d also be a comfort; for I can scarcely write with those we have – Did you receive a franked letter of M^r Strangways’s which I sent back to you on Sunday? – One came for L^d Valletort ¹⁷ on the same day which I sent to Leamington. –

I have had very kind notes from Miss Paley & Miss Awdry – I believe their respective Mothers are absent at present –

I have already heard from my sisters at St Leonards – they seem to like the first looks of the place as much as possible – And they also like the looks of their new Servants – It is very comfortable to hear all this –

Y^r aff^te
Constance

H. F Talbot Esq^re
31. Sackville Street