TALBOT3735

Lacock Abbey
October 1^st

My dear Henry

Carey ¹ has given me an estimate which I think you may wish to have without delay & therefore I will copy it to save you a double letter. –

“Estimate for a new lead gutter – Gutter boards – and stripping & relaying, Tiling of our end of the roof – including Plumber’s Tiler’s & Carpenter’s work – £4 · 9 · 0”

Our Cook Mary Mucklestone leaves our service on Thursday – on my giving her warning she requested, as a favor, to be released thus early – She goes up to London, & I think she had better take charge of your books – if you approve – Several young women from the village have been to offer themselves as kitchen maid – but I have replied that I mean to take time to consider. – for I don’t like to be hurried about it, especially without consulting you – M^lle Amélina ² & I are extremely anxious for news for your arrival, & in particular of Lady Elisabeth’s ³ health which we hope the post will bring us tomorrow. – We are so grieved that you should have the désagrément of thick fogs just on your first arrival in London – I suppose you must have studied by candlelight today – for even here it has been quite dark but yesterday was beautiful, & M^lle Amélina went out to sun herself in the garden for the first time. I think the walk did her good although she felt very weak & tired – & she is certainly much better altogether & talks of getting up to Breakfast with me tomorrow morning – she desires her particular complimens [sic] to you & Lady Elisabeth, Caroline ⁴ &c –

The children are very well – Rosamond ⁵ misses you extremely & asked most perseveringly for you yesterday. – ‘Papa’ ‘papa’ – & pushed me to go with her in search of you. –

I have thought of another commission for you – rather a strange one you will say, but if you don’t fancy it yourself you can get it executed by Some femme de chamber. It is to procure for me 2 sets of sewing cotton of the usual useful sizes – from Swan & [missing text] Edgar’s ⁶ – with whom you are acquainted.

Price ⁷ says that no sewing cotton she has ever tried is equal to theirs, which is the reason for my troubling you, as we happen to want a supply exceedingly –

Your aff^te
Constance

If you should see M^rs Wilkes ⁸ pray remember me to her. –

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