TALBOT5135

Lacock Abbey
Friday. –

My dear Henry

I heard yesterday from my Aunt M^rs Newton of Cheltenham ¹ that their gardener knows a young man of the same kind as himself (just what we require I think) – now in the employment of M^r Jessop – the great Nursery-gardener at Cheltenham. – He is said by his friend to have an excellent character which M^r Jessop will confirm – as he himself employs none but men with good characters – he thoroughly understands flowers &c but asks one pound per week wages – & where there is much attention to be given to flowers, expects assistance – (this means in a garden of the size of theirs which is of course quite small in comparison of ours) – I wrote to my Aunt by return of post begging to have the refusal of this man till you should have leisure to consider of it – Perhaps it might be more economical to board & lodge him in our own house & decrease his wages in proportion But I do think all our present set of H’s? should be dismissed first – else we shall have too many hands & too much extra expense –

We are all getting on very well & hope you are also in this charming weather – but why don’t you write to us? –

Your affectionate
Constance