TALBOT6913

Greta Bank
Saturday Feb 4^th

My dear Henry

I received two letters from you yesterday – of which the second informed me that you were going down to Lacock. I had unfortunately just written to you & directed to London – But there were no enclosures – and mine was chiefly to acquaint you with the report of M^r Brett’s leaving, & to ask if you meant to protest once more against M^r John Paley. I did not hear his name mentioned on this occasion, but you know he wa is always ready to step in. At the next presentation to the Living I should much like you to give M^r Valpy the offer – but I am sure he would l not have accepted the Curacy – or rather you would not have liked to ask him under the uncomfortable reign of the Paleys – No Curate will stay long with us under present circumstances. M^r Valpy was to go to Nottingham yesterday – where I have his address in case of your wishing to communicate with him at a future time. In point of emolument & independence he has got a much better thing at Nottingham than the Curacy of Lacock – but had it been otherwise I don’t think he could have withdrawn from Nottingham without trying it for a time. – Very likely he may relinquish it when he finds it does not suit him –

I think M^r Brett ought certainly to have mentioned to you himself that he was going away – It is very unsettling for the Parish to have these frequent changes –

You are lucky in having such nice weather for going down to Lacock – it is delightful here – We don’t find any great inconvenience in sparing Goodwin, as we have only had the carriage out once, and even if we used it often, it is only the same as it used to be when Goodwin was Footman. Do you know of any trustworthy man in London whom you would like as a job servant? Your Girls send their love and hope you will bring them a very particular account of the four Cats & Carlo – M^lle Amélina is much obliged for your punctuality in executing her commission.

Your affectionate
Constance.

[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esq^re
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wilts