WCP1543

[1]^{1, 2}

Midland rail to Charfield.³

Mount House,

Alderley,

Wutton-under-Edge,⁴

30^th. Dec[ember]. 1889

Dear M^rs. Wallace⁵,

Thank you as much for the plants. I have sent them down to be put in the locker[?]. but have no longer any confidence in what becomes of my poor plants. my man has you[?] thoroughly idle & neither works himself nor directs the others. but goes about playing[?] fine[?] gentleman. I was told I ought to send him away at once. but asked my[?] landlord to give him a good talking to. & another chance [2] my lip[?] only[?] hangs on from week to week. & it would be a great worry changing now in the depth of winter cruel to turn his wife & children two[sic?]. but I fear many of my best plants will die and have died from want of care.

If he does go I must try to get a steady old [MS illeg.]ishman to take his place. & Mi[illeg.] Owen[?] says if I write to Mr. Lindsay at Edinboro she feels sure he will keep me — & will write herself also to him. it is so nice to think of seeing you here again & M^r. Wallace & that you both[?] enjoy your new house[.] [3] Tell him how much I liked his new book. but in the next edition he must spell[?] my cousins[sic] name Eugo. not Eunis. here is a picture of his mother's garden[sic] in the Chronicle. with perhaps the finest Drarena[?] in England [2 words MS blotted][.] I send a little painting as a new years gift done at Lastein[?] in [18]68⁶. with many good wishes for a happy new year

love yours affectionately | Marianne North [signature]