TALBOT8232

Oakfield
Sunday Oct 28

My dear Henry

No 25 Melville St. turns out to be unfurnished – so our hopes of it fall to the ground. The case is becoming desperate; but not from any lack of zeal on the part of M^r Patterson. – He regrets the difficulty in meeting our views – and he offers a suggestion (in a letter which I have just received) which I consider we shall do wisely to act upon – there is a large house in Moray Place, which was mentioned to M^r Clark at the time that he was making enquiries; but which he did not look at because the rent asked was £50 a month, and he knew this was more than we intended to give – but he said "it is I believe an excellent House." – M^r Patterson says in his letter just rec^d "The most likely house that remains with us to let, is 11 Moray Place – which if £40 a month were offered (for six months) I would recommend the owner to accept it." – I think nothing can be more fair, even handsome towards us, in trying to get it at an abatement of £10 per month. – I am therefore answering him by today’s post that I have written to ask your consent, and to beg he will reserve it for us until your answer arrives – Now as M^r Clark informed me that the rents asked this year were unusually high & that many that were on the Agent’s Books at £30 and £40 per month, proved on further enquiry to be almost all too small, I think we shall be fortunate if we can get this house for £40. Do you remember that M^rs Swintons in Athole Crescent was thought ridiculously cheap at £35? – While I am awaiting your answer which I hope will reach me on Wednesday (if you get this as I hope tomorrow) – I will ascertain from Patterson that the said No. 11 Moray place is well furnished and complete in every respect. Pray order Jones the Lacock Postman, to bring your letters ever day while this negociation is pending – He only expects a shilling a week for his trouble, and you thereby save one day’s post, which is important when the agent is waiting for an answer. I had a nice letter from Charles on Friday – which told us that he got through the Examination quite easily – I may tell you more of this another day, if he has not already written to you himself. I must also tell you of a very friendly visit which M^r Headlam paid me on Thursday.

I sent you some Australian seeds the other day – and hope they arrived safely. – Our weather is very misty, but has become quite calm. –

Matilda has communicated to informed us that her husband intends to resume his duties at the Parliament House this winter: having been strongly advised to do so by several of his friends. This is important, and will leave so many vacant hours of each day on our dear Tilly’s hands, that our society will be doubly precious to her. We must therefore by all means, secure a house. –

Your affectionate
Constance

I hear on the best authority, (that of the Agent) that M^rs Sandford refused an offer at the beginning of this season for 11 Randolph Cres^t £250Ì for six months. – I am not aware whether they have let it since at a higher figure – but they confidently expected to do so.

[envelope:]
to be delivered by Jones.
H. F. Talbot Esqre
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham