Hôtel Victoria, San Remo

Thursday Nov^r 14^th

My dear Henry

I have this moment received your letter of Nov^r 9^th enclosing a new letter of credit for £300 – Many thanks for it – and as it is a five days’ post between this & L Abbey, I hasten immediately to ask you some further instructions. – By Monie’s letter of the 10^th, you will have learnt that I called on Mr. Bioves, the Banker at Mentone, to introduce myself by showing the letter of Indication, and requesting him to point out some way of my drawing money on him by the expected letter of credit, without the great inconvenience of presenting myself in person each time I might require money. He said he had an agent at San Remo, who would pay me such sums on his order, but that Coutt’s letter of credit must be placed in his hands to enable him to do this. I should send it to him registered the better to ensure its safety, and he would either keep it in his hand to save the repeated risk & trouble of re-transmission through the Post, or return it to me each time after the payment of such portion as I might require – If you sanction my leaving the letter of credit with him as long as we remain at S. Remo I will call for it on passing through Mentone myself on our return journey to Nice. – There can be no risk I sh^d think in this arrangement: – and they I have proposed it in consequence of the great distance from Mentone, (4 hours tedious journey there & 4 hours back) which make it impossible for me to fetch the money from thence myself. – I had understood from what you said in your letter to R^d that Coutts would have communicated direct with M^rBiddes, in which case I should have seen clearly what to do without giving you the trouble of any further question, but I hope I have made myself understood. – We have had one night’s rain since we came, & 4 gloomy days – such a contrast to the bright, almost overpowering sunshine which we had up to last Monday. Otherwise the weather is pleasant, but the absence of sun makes it necessary to light our drawing room fire each evening. This Hotel is not well placed, being much too far from the old Town with its curious streets – However I managed to get to the Booksellers yesterday – & we discovered an excellent Perfumer’s – and a hairdresser’s who sells very nice gloves – Altogether the Town has resources beyond what report says – And there are several good hôtels, & many private villas – with 3 English Doctors! – In this house we have met an old Cumberland acquaintance, M^rs Monkhouse, the widow of the owner of Lizzick hall, our nearest neighbour when we were living at Oakfield – She is here with her son & family; the son being in delicate health – There is also a M^rs Crowther, whose late husband, a connexion of my family, I formerly knew. I do not yet know whether this Lady is agreeable, but I sh^d rather think so, and I am going to leave my card for her. We had such a nice letter from Tilly during her visit at Markeaton. – and I want so much now to hear when you will be going to see her at Dabton. If you determined on passing through Edinburgh it would perhaps save my writing letters of business to Elizabeth Gray or others – on matters which Goodwin might settle for me – I am not certain of having such a commission for him, but I should wish you to let me know, in case of such a chance. – I imagine that the 3 months abonnement to Galignani’s newspaper will soon expire – Will you please renew it if convenient through your London Agent? – It would save me much trouble, and we sh^d be sorry of any interruption while at San Remo. It comes regularly at present. We hope with you that the Italian question is looking better at present. –

With much love from all to Charles and yourself, I am your very affectionate

Constance

Matilda wrote such a pleasant account of Pussys doings at Dabton! –