Grasmere
July 27^th

My dear Henry

I have just been making acquaintance with M^r Arthur Headlam of Whorlton – who called here on his way from Keswick to spend a day with his friend M^r Mathison at Rydal – I had happened to write to M^rs Spedding a day or two ago; and mentioned our anxious wish that Charles would profit by pursuing his studies under M^r Headlam – which I suppose suggested to him the idea of calling, which was very kind – He is very gentle & facile in his manner, though slightly embarrassed at first addressing a stranger – and so like his Sister M^rs Spedding, both in voice & looks, that I could have fancied at moments that it was herself that was speaking – When he heard of your having gone home to Lacock, he imagined you had given up your intention of calling upon him, – in which I undeceived him – He then said he expected to be settled at home after the end of next week; and would be happy to see you, & to show you anything of interest in his neighbourhood, if you staid a night or two with him – He also said that some of his pupils would return to him in three weeks from the present time – and that he would be quite ready to received Charles, as soon after as you think proper to send him. – Now I think that if Charles spends a week with you at Lacock, another week at Grasmere & a third at Speddoch, (if M^r Clark repeats the invitation) he will just be ready to go to Whorlton at the time M^r Headlam mentions – or if the Speddoch part of the scheme drops thro’, we may arrange to keep him here a little longer; that is, a fortnight instead of a week. – I have been contriving the best means of lodging him while he is with us – and I see no better way than this – To make up a bed for Ela on a sofa bed that stands in my room – & to let her drop in a little dressing room which is not used at present – and to give her room to Charles – Henrietta & Dum occupy 2 of the six rooms on the principal floor. Goodwin, George & the under maids have the three attics – The room which Dum occupies is the one over the kitchen, & had no bed in it when we came, but there was a spare folding bed in the maid’s attic, which I had brought down for her: and it now makes a very suitable Cook’s room – but not such as would be pleasant for any of ourselves to occupy. – If you come to Grasmere at the same time as Charles, we could only accommodate you both by turning out one of the Servants. – But what you would dislike the most in this house is the want of sitting rooms, and the circumstance of Dining & Drawing room being separated by an ill fitting folding door only, brings it to the same result as if there were only one – because you hear every word that is spoken through the folding door – and it is impossible to write or read in one while any person is in the other. In this respect Miss Chalmers’s cottage at Dunkeld was superior, because the drawing room & dining room were quite detached. – I really believe that the least uncomfortable arrangement would be to secure rooms for yourself & Thomas at M^r Brown’s or at the Hollin’s, or else for you to come here after Charles has left us – We have been getting on very well so far & Goodwin improves slowly & by taking great care of himself – Rosamond has enjoyed walking and sauntering about with the rest of us – but unfortunately she caught cold one Evening by staying too long in the churchyard looking at the Rush Bearers – and she has got a tiresome face & tooth ache. She keeps her room today – but I hope it will be a temporary ailment merely – and she must be more prudent in future. – We had wind & rain last night, but on the whole our weather has been particularly fine & pleasant – & the roads & paths dry here very soon after rain. We have had not had a word from you since your letter from Furness – you sh^d have apprised us of your safe arrival at home – I hope that Thomas is attentive & makes you comfortable? – I fancy he ought to succeed better in that kind of service, than when he has much hard work –

Please give my love to Charles & say I am expecting a letter from him –

Your affectionate
Constance.