TALBOT3684

Lacock Abbey
June 3^d

My dear Henry

I do not think your description of the Nurse ¹ recommended by Lady George Murray ² is quite all that I could wish because a want of cheerfulness, if it really exists is a great objection. – Perhaps in this instance the sadness might be produced or at least encreased by the awfulness of the interview with you & Lady Elisabeth ³ – Could you find out whether M^rs Storey’s children were happy under her care? – She should think however that had it been otherwise no Mother would have kept her in her family 16 years – This length of service is alone a strong recommendation unless M^rs Storey is a lady who does not care who she has about her. – (which I grant is an improbable supposition.) – Harriot ⁴ says she would take depend on Lady G. Murray’s judgement of a Nurse as soon as upon any of her friends’. – Certainly if she deserved to hold the situation of Nurse & to possess her Mistress’s confidence as long as 16 years, she must possess some very admirable qualities & ought not hastily to be rejected. – I suppose that you saw nothing of promise in the course of yesterday, as the post brought me no letter from you this morning. – Pray don’t forget to make minute enquiries about temper when you are asking for a character. – Harriot has been very kind in her offers of assistance; – so if you should chance to wish for another opinion upon any one that you like or feel undecided upon, pray avail yourself of hers –

Yesterday I received an unexpected party of visitors, who came, not to see me, but the Abbey, – though on finding that I was at home the could not avoid asking for me. – They were 4 in number Lady Hunloke & her daughter, ⁵ Lady Julia (Howard I understood) & another young lady who was nameless, & almost speechless – silent I mean – They were on their way to Bath, but I know not from whence they came – Lady Hunloke said she had lately been in Derbyshire & was soon returning to Richmond, where it appears that she resides at present with some relations. – She said she hoped she should see Lady Elisabeth in London. – Lady Julia claimed a kind of acquaintance with me, in as much as she said Harriot had once introduced her to me. – Who is she? – & where have I seen Her? – I apologized for myself on the plea of having been so little in Society; – & I am certain I shall not forget her again, for I was exceedingly charmed with her. – Miss Hu[nloke]⁶ asked to see the children & all the Ladies took a great deal of notice of them. –

And now I must say adieu because it is dinner time. – We find four o’clock an excellent hour & we go out afterwards – & the weather has generally been very fine in the evenings, even after much rain in the mornings. – Marian ⁷ & Emily ⁸ have taken drives in the poney carriage & seem to approve it & Marian finds it easy. – Altogether I really believe my Sisters are very comfortable. – it was a pity I had not the benefit of their assistance yesterday when my visitors came, but they were just gone out walking. – Tomorrow we expect Uncle & Aunt Newton ⁹ to dine & sleep; & we are hoping for fine weather – They are evidently much pleased to come.

Your aff^te
Constance

H. F. Talbot Esq^re
31 Sackville Street
London