TALBOT6415

Lacock Abbey
May 4^th

My dear Henry

your amusing letters have given us a most excellent idea of the opening day at the Crystal palace – We also read the accounts in the Times – and though we had formed no previous desire to be there, we know now that we should have liked to have witnessed such an imposing ceremony –

I received the enclosed from M^rs Forrest yesterday – and as she required an answer, I wrote to say you would agree to her terms for the fortnight, having left it to her to name the price – but that should any change of plan occasion our remaining in her house a month, you would expect her to charge the whole time the same as last year – Today M^r Vardon has answered my two last letters to him – and he rejoices in the arrangement about M^rs Forrest’s house. – He is most obligingly prosecuting the enquiry after suitable residences – he says – “I obtain some little additional knowledge every day mostly in an indirect manner, as many families who would not publicly announce their houses to be let, have still no objection to let them to quiet & trustworthy parties. Your suggestion respecting Rayrigg shall be attended to. There are one or two other houses also worth looking at. – Mr Shelden’s new lodging house commands the finest of all the views across Windermere Lake. Travelling from Ambleside to Birthwaite Station, within ¾ of a mile of the latter, you will doubtless remember, that the Bowness road branches suddenly off to the right, rising to an eminence which is called the Terrace, & commanding the loveliest of all lovely views over the Calgarth woods towards Langdale Pikes & Bowfell. Now upon this very terrace has sprung up a house built on speculation by M^r Shelden coach proprietor & ‘chef de la Station’. I looked over it the other day & it is now being furnished, handsomely he says, & the little garden walks are being laid out. It can easily be complete for the 1^st June. Breakfast room Dining & Drawing room, occupy the base front of the house, above them are the three best bed rooms – and [illegible deletion] two others on this same floor, looking back; on the upper story are four more sleeping rooms with inner rooms or closets – Two staircases & good cellars below, with excellent kitchen &c on the ground floor behind – Coach houses & stables for 4 horses – The rent asked is 8 guineas a week for 12 weeks & any number of beds would be added if required” . . . This house would hold us very comfortably –

Your affectionate
Constance