TALBOT8382

11 Moray Place

April 20^th

My dear Henry

You had indeed a narrow escape of a very serious disaster to the poor old Abbey, – I can scarcely express with what a mixed feeling of consternation, concern & thankfulness I read your letter. – Such a cause of fire as that you describe, has been the ruin of many houses – but I was far from supposing it existed in any of the chimnies at Lacock, having frequently heard Banks say that they were particularly well constructed. He spoke of a portion of them only I suppose: and now that we have the experience of danger in this particular instance, I hope you will ascertain, if possible, whether there are any doubtful points in the construction of any of the others. It is particularly necessary to have every security before trusting our house to the care of strangers, or to Servants in our absence. – I am afraid you will have been sadly shaken by the alarm of this occurrence, yet it was better that you should have been on the spot to give the necessary orders: – besides any other Person might have been less observant of the danger although sitting in the very same spot – To what extent is your room damaged? – Is the hole in the wall very large – and is the furniture destroyed? – There are some spare pieces of paper like that on the walls, which Lucy will find in the old cupboards in the Brown passage – perhaps sufficient to patch over the hole – but of course the new plaster will require some time to dry after it is done, before papering – and if the Carpet is not burnt, it may be cleaned by scouring & using what they call crystal power.

I shall write to Matilda & tell her of this escape, and that you are still likely to be detained at Lacock – for she is constantly enquiring how soon we expect you, I think with the intention of writing to you if you prolonged your stay, much at the Abbey. – They seem to have very good weather, at Speddoch, (only one cold day during the week) – and she is as happy as possible with her pets & her garden. They are also planning how to make a little addition to their house of one or two rooms – while the grander building schemes are delayed – and this I think appears a judicious thing, as the house is rather too small at present for convenience. –

M^lle Amelina had a nice letter from Charles today. he says he is reading very busily <therefore> that is good.

Our gloomy weather left us today, and was succeeded by glorious sunshine. – M^lle A & I took advantage of it for a visit to Granton house, & found both Sir John & Lady M^cNeill at home and as agreeable as ever. They expect their daughter & children home from Corfu next week: which makes them quite happy. – On coming in I find that Rosamond has written to Matilda & sent her the account of your alarm, so you will be sure to hear from her soon. E & R. & Mamie all join in love & condolences –

your affectionate Constance