TALBOT6475

Grasmere

Thursday Oct 9^th

1851 <in another hand>

My dear Henry

You are in possession of our sentiments regarding railroads – how cordially we dislike & even dread them. You will not wonder therefore that M^lle Amélina _^^{& I} have been turning in our minds the possibility of getting home any other way, without much increasing the expense. If we hit on such an expedient, even should we be away days on the road, you would not (of course) object to our indulging the fancy, -- I have no scheme to propose today, but I may have one tomorrow, though perhaps not before post time. Therefore I think it best to mention it now, that I have had a conference with M^r. Brown & asked him for an estimate of a journey home en voiturier – He will calculate his own charge for a carriage & horses & drivers to travel easy journeys with our own carriage – conveying 5 persons each carriage, leaving 4 Servants to travel by Railway, & some luggage by luggage train. – M^r. B. says he does not suppose we could have more than 5 cwt of luggage to send, and that he believes the company are obliged to take it for 5 shillings a cwt. the whole distance. That is the fact he has promised to ascertain from the Company, & which causes a delay in giving in the estimate. He may probably be mistaken as to the quantity of goods, but that Jones will know. When I have ascertained all the charges I will write to you. A journey of this kind would combine several advantages – First it would enable us to see many things on the road & take sketches of interesting objects, & thus procure as much pleasure, in lieu of a grievous vexation. – Secondly, it would be attended by (comparatively) no danger and thirdly would enable the Servants (who must stay behind to pack up furniture, linen, etc, all in fact that is in daily use) to reach Lacock before us & get things comfortable there – But of course, if on calculation, we found find the outlay, unreasonable, we will give it up – I only write today to prepare your mind for a formal request. M^lle. Amel^na. & I were able to reach Keswick yesterday & wind up our little accounts there – and on my return I found your letter – Many thanks for it & the one received today. We will take into consideration your suggestions about Furness. I learn by the Post Mark of the enclosed letter, that Caroline has passed through Bath. Pray tell us what she says & whether she has left L^d. M^t. E. at Cowes –

I am writing a line to M^r. Coppock to ask leave for our Crockery &c to stand on the premises till M^r. Brown can get up a sale. Perhaps there may not be one till Spring – I will communicate with M^r. Green Sen^r. about the 7 £ –

Your affectionate

Constance

I will take care to bring away the plants you mention, & several others that we spoke of before – The Gardener has promised anything.

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