TALBOT8229

Oakfield Tuesday Oct 23^d

My dear Henry

Patterson’s answer about 111 Princes St. is I am sorry to say unfavorable. It is not Sir J. Russell’s house, but next door to it – The number of bed rooms are quite sufficient, but this is the damaging clause in the Agent’s own words – "I would not like you to take it without some of your own friends having first seen it – it is very dingy, both the house & furniture, and would require a good deal to be done to it, to make it passable." Again – "The kitchen flat is very deficient in accommodation & the whole house does not come up to the description given of it when instructions were left to let it." – So there is an end of that: but we will continue to correspond with M^r Patterson, & note down any new advertisement. M^r P. has acted very honourably by us in not concealing the defects of 111 – We have a return of fine weather today, which is an immense treat after so much rain; but I thought yesterday looked like a coming change, because there was such a calm – and a vapoury Scotch mist, more than regular rain – R^d is writing to Charles today, as we have not yet heard from him – I suppose he will not want leisure for letter-writing – only perhaps the inclination is backward. – I scarcely expected you would have had time to write to me from London yesterday after you got my letter – Thanks for the remittance, which will be very acceptable. I am very glad about the Servant, and approve of his name not being either John or Thomas. – Bennet is quite a Markeaton clan – I wonder whether this Reuben is one of them. Yesterday I wrote to Wilkins about the situation for his son George wh. M^r Donald had long ago promised to get him at Martinmas next – and I have desired him to shew you the letter which contains all the particulars – but first I must explain why your wish of getting him under the Duke of Buccleugh’s gardener could not be complied with – About three weeks ago when Matilda went to Dabton, she asked M^r Maxwell to apply for his admission to Drumlanrig if the gardener had a vacancy – and the answer was that he had left off receiving Apprentices because there had been some confusion latterly among them and the privilege had been withdrawn.

About the same time I had the offer of a very excellent place from M^r M^c Donald of Greta Bank. – through the recommendation of Downie & Laird of Edinburgh. – One of his own sons was placed at Newton Don some years back in a similar manner, for instruction. And therefore M^c Donald knows a great deal about it – and feels sure that George Wilkins could not do better for himself than to go there. I therefore closed with it at once, although the Apprentice fee is higher than what we expected. But M^r Thom only expects the half to be paid down on entering – and the second £5 at the end of the two years. M^c Donald wrote out the form of agreement which I enclosed to Wilkins yesterday. It is signed by M^r Thom – & M^c Donald wishes Wilkins to sign it also, and to keep it – for M^r Thom does not require a copy for himself. – I think it will be safer for you to transmit the £5Ì to M^r Thom, by a post office order on Kelso than to trust it to George Wilkins, who might lose it on the road. Will you please advise him about his journey, and advance him the money for his expenses from me – as I engaged to defray the journey – if you pay the Fee. He must be at Newton Don on the 11^th November. The place belongs to Charles Balfour Esq^re

Our little servant boy acquits himself admirably in Goodwin’s absence, and we are not inconvenienced at present – but of course we shall be very glad to see Goodwin back whenever you can spare him. He must install Reuben into his duties, before leaving you –

Ever dear Henry your affectionate
Constance.

[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esqre
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham