TALBOT8179

Speddoch
Friday, August 17^th

My dear Henry

Our reports of dear Matilda’s progress are become a mere form, since she improves so steadily from day to day. Her Physician has just been with her today; and he is so much pleased with the improvement that he does not propose to see her again before Monday. She is to eat some Grouse for dinner, to have a glass of wine with it – and to remain on her sofa as long as she can without fatigue. – Your would be surprised to hear how cheerfully she talks – and to see her look so little altered – She is just as pretty without her hair as with it – and her cheeks remain as round as before her illness – only the complexion is very pale & sallow – She cannot bear sitting up at present, on account of the Weakness of her head. Which is affected by every change of position – But even this will diminish each day – Rosamond is writing orders to Goodwin to meet her & M^lle Amélina at Carlisle next Tuesday – He will probably go over to Penrith early in a carriage of M^r Teather’s, (Royal Oak.) – but if he cannot arrange that without incurring extra expense, he will have to start for Penrith by Monday’s mail & sleep there – All this he knows; for I talked it over with him myself. – and we were in the act of speaking to M^r Teather on the subject, last Tuesday week, when James Ferguson, (the Speddoch Gardener) stepped from a carriage which drove up to the door, & delivered into my hands the letter which called me here! What a blessed deliverance we have had out of the anguish of that day! – I hope you are not still suffering from the shock, wh much have affected you doubly, dear Henry! from your being still weakened by your illness in Spain. – M^r Clark is sending off this evening by Messenger train to Penrith a box of Grouse containing a Brace – which will reach Keswick by the morning’s mail – and therefore you had better send off to Keswick for it immediately if the Postman should fail to leave it at Oakfield at the same time that he delivers this letter. – If you explain this to Charles, I am sure he will either drive down to Keswick to fetch the box, or send some one in the pony carriage. – As soon as the Grouse are unpacked, I wish you to divide them in this way: send 3 Brace to Mirehouse 2 Brace to Greta Bank 1 Brace to Ormathwaite, and keep the 3 remaining Brace for yourselves don’t send to Ormathwaite, because M^r Carlisle Wake will certainly be dining out with the Speddings, who are expecting company – and Col. W. will be absent I believe. – Never mind Ormathwaite therefore this time, we shall have another opportunity s^d we wish it. – Pray take care that our Cook sends nice young birds to the Speddings – She will easily distinguish between the young & the old by their size – and also by their Beaks. M^r Clark says that when held by the copper mandible, the under one immediately breaks when the bird is young. – I have just received Charles’s letter – I am writing to advise him to do the tailoring & dentist job at Carlisle on Tuesday. – Believe me it is better he should not do it at Edinburgh – by himself. –

y^r affectionate
Constance

[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esqre
Oakfield
Keswick