TALBOT7180

[fragment]

East Ferry Cottage Dunkeld
September 24^th

My dear Henry

I have received your two letters from London – and for which I have to thank you since I wrote last. We were all very happy to hear of the properous [sic] conclusion of your journey, & that you felt no other inconvenience than fatigue – It seemed quite wonderful to get the letter which you wrote on Wednesday evening, (and in which you said Charles went down to Harrow by ½ past 5 train) on the morning of Thursday. – at ½ past one. – The letter travelled in half a day as much ground as you did in three; although your journies were rather long. –

We continue to be perfectly enchanted with this place. On Saturday the weather was so extremely bright & hot that we relinguished [sic] our intention of going into the Ducal grounds – M^lle A & the girls sat working & reading in the garden & about 4 o’clock Matilda & I sauntered into our favorite wood on the hill side. Such Birches & Scotch Firs! – I could live under them! – Yesterday (Sunday) was rainy till about mid day. We dined early & went to evening church in the Cathedral – The rain had quite ceased but it was still a little damp & chilly. The succeeding night was clear & still, with frost and today is pleasant bright & fresh. It is a more wholesome & natural temperature then Saturday. –

I am writing to Meredith by this post to give her some directions – I wish her to dismiss 2 of the maids – the kitchen maid & Anne the Still room Maid – They must be quite useless at present & both being Lacock Servants & not of long standing in our household I think it is much better to part with them, as we can replace them at any time. – there will be their wages & B^d Wages to pay – to Anne one quarter up to October 1^st wages £2 – to the kitchen maid 2 months & 10 days from July 21^st to Oct 1^st –

Meredith knows what wages I promised if you ask her – & I will thank you to reckon it for me – Also their Board Wages, as I am not certain what day in the week that we left, B^d Wages began –

I wish Meredith to pay them, if you will give her the money. Don’t you think I am right in sending them away? – If Meredith has any good reason to the contrary, perhaps you will allow her to tell you – & you can report the same to me – I am afraid I am giving you trouble, but as you are now on the spot, I think it is proper that the Housekeeper should receive the order from you, as she may have something to say in consequence. – Another thing I want you to settle is about her Meredith going home to see her little girl. It must be whenever you can conveniently spare her; perhaps when you have done sojourning at Lacock; for she must Cook for you & make you comfortable while you are at home. there will be plenty of time afterwards – She asked my leave to have the child come to stay with her at Lacock Abbey, but I told her I would rather give her time to go & see her. – There was the preserving & pickling season which prevented her going sooner, and many other things which made it a busy time after we left. – I have told her to preserve some Peaches before she goes – I heard from Wilkins on Saturday that both peaches & nectarines are ripe – He asked leave to send some, but I told him we were too far from home – But if the grapes are ripe when you some back to Scotland, we should like you very much to bring a box with you – Nectarines too would travel will, if there are any remaining. –

Your affectionate
Constance

We walked today some distance on the road to Aberfeldy & Loch Tay – The scenery is pretty but it wanted sun & was rather cold –

Tuesday morning – Another fine morning with a seasonable Autumnal haze – & perfect calm. –

You would do me a pleasure by bringing my wee thermometer with you, when you come – I must have left it somewhere in my room, & Meredith [letter ends here incomplete]