Randolph Crescent

Friday - morning

My dear Henry

What I was saying about our Carriage is, that it wants putting into the Coach-maker’s hands for a thorough renovation, both inside & out. It requires new lining and fresh painting – I should have spoken to you about it before we left home in December, but I thought it would be best to have it freshly done for our return in the Summer – And now there is an additional reason for having it quite smart – It would be disgraceful to have such a dilapidated carriage at the time of Matilda’s Wedding – for in the event of its not being wanted actually for church, – it will be in use before & after & while we have guests staying with us – I think it should be put into the Coachmaker’s hands immediately after Charles & his friend have done using it for their excursions – Could you write at once to the Bath Coachmaker M^r Oczey or Vesey of Milsom N. for an estimate of his charges? which if you thought proper, you could compare with those of the Chippenham Coachmaker. – I don’t think we can make any Alteration for the <ill.del.> better in the fittings or painting, except that your own Coat of arms sh^d be substituted for y those which we have allowed to remain on the panels all this time – You should insist on the painting being put in hand immediately; otherwise there is great risk of its not being done in time – You know Coachmakers are proverbially inexact – and never keep their engagements. So you must pretend to want the carriage long before you do. – I suppose they will promise it in six weeks – but they will keep it perhaps twice that time –

I have just been writing to Charles; – but as he does not stop in London, I have said nothing about the Pie at Fortnum & Mason’s. I think the best way will be for you to write your own order, & get them to send it down by train the same day that they receive you letter. –

You have got a gloomy & showery day for your journey – I hope it will not last – but be fine while the boys are at Lacock

Your affectionate

Constance –