TALBOT6537

London 10 Dec. 51

My Dear Constance

I hope you received the Eye glass safely. I enclose you an amusing letter from Caroline. Hallam proposes that we should give his nephew a month’s trial as footman, and as he is doing nothing he wishes it to be soon. I am for making George butler, I should be very reluctant to engage a stranger in that capacity, especially at a time when I may be obliged to be absent from home, as I am advised to take legal proceedings against some persons infringing my patent and that would require _^^me to be in Town at the time. Besides I think George would do, at any rate I wish to give him a trial. I suppose it would not do to have 2 footmen and no butler. Else that would be a preferable alternative to engaging a stranger. I quite agree with what you say about a housekeeper. As you do not mention M^r Vardon¹ I hope that you have launched him successfully, and that he will now be able to make sail for himself with favorable breezes. I am thinking what we shall do about getting Charles a tutor in the holidays, I am afraid it will be difficult, as we have no M^r Wilson to fall back upon. He will want something to fill up his time – I wish we had a few mountains near us, the smallest Westmoreland crag or fell would be welcome. We shall have no dance this X.^mas on account of our mourning There will be nothing at Bowood either. Have you heard whether Howard and Louisa receive any considerable accession of fortune in consequence of his father’s death? I should be glad to hear that such was the case as he wants it much, and I like him very much. – I intend to return home tomorrow Thursday by the evening express. Please send the carriage to meet me at Chipp^m. at 7 oclock – Not to wait, as if I don’t come by that train I shall wait till the next day.

Yours aff^ly
Henry