TALBOT8393

11 Moray Place
April 29^th

My dear Henry

I am very sorry to find (by a passage in your letter to Ela) that you have again put off your journey to Edinburgh – I am afraid therefore that I must now trouble you with several matters of business that would have been much better understood had we talked them over together – but the time is getting so very short. – We shall of course want our Carriage & horses as soon as we remove to Millburn Tower¹ – but our old carriage is not fit for use in its present state, and I am aware that you do not consider it desirable to expend on it the sum which would be required for efficient repairs – consequently we must either buy or job a new one – The latter alternative would perhaps meet all present difficulty – and doubtless such a carriage could be hired either at Edinburgh, Glasgow, or Stirling. – Then about the Coachman – Pullen has distinctly refused to separate from his Wife, & attend on us at any place where we may require his services, unless Lucy were allowed to accompany him in the capacity of our Housemaid. – But this arrangement is impossible, situated as we are – Lucy is required to remain in charge of the Abbey: – and I confess I am a little anxious to know that this situation suits her, and that we may depend on her keeping to it, as long as we may have occasion for her services. – I suppose therefore we shall have to engage another coachman, and offer require Pullen to give his spare time to Wilkins in the garden – I do not anticipate that he can make any objection to this change, as it will be the natural consequence of his declining to leave home with the Horses – which is the thing we should have wished him to do. – Of course it will be his duty to bring the Horses to Edinburgh at any moment that we give the order, & remain with them a few weeks or so till we are suited with another man. – We have missed a good chance of engaging a very respectable married man, highly recommended by M^r Grieve. He is stable servant to M^r Borthwick, and was left in charge of Millburn Tower with his Wife – I saw them both & liked their manner & appearance. – This man had wished to leave M^r Borthwick at the Whitsun term, but has just renewed his engagement till November. – He & his family had occupied the coachman’s cottage & had all their furniture & things there still when I saw the premises –

I entreat you to come to us at once and settle all these matters – your grate will be correctly set by Banks whenever it chooses to make its appearance – Banks is experienced in such matters & can be perfectly trusted to do the work, as he has often done similar jobs in our absence. –

I wish to know on what day how soon the Cambridge vacation begins – and on what day you expect Charles to join you previous to the foreign tour – I am quite in the dark as to these various dates. – when you write to say what day I may expect you here, it will be best to mention (if you can) by what train you mean to arrive – I may then take measures for the hampers of plants which you bring, to be forwarded on to Millburn Tower without delay. –

I think you said you did receive M^lle A’s letter some time since – but was the answer lost in the fire? –

I am glad you had some rain at Lacock – I believe it is much wanted everywhere –

Your affectionate
Constance.