My dear Henry

I was very glad indeed to receive your letter this morning – it seemed so long since you last wrote. And we were all beginning to wonder – Thanks for the remittance to Melksham Bank, and for your directions about drawing such sums as I may require – I enquired shortly after my arrival at Grasmere what was the course to pursue in regard to money transactions – and I was advised to apply to the Agent for the Kendal Bank at Ambleside – as there is no regular Bank there, but his Person who is a Linen Draper undertakes to cast cheques – he is a dumpy grumpy sort of looking man; but he gave me my £50 – on demand deducting 2/6 for the commission and he paid it all down in gold & Bank of England notes without my asking – I made no objection of course, but I w^d as soon have taken Kendal notes as the whole was to be paid away here –

Our time is now approaching fast for leaving Grasmere – This last week (with the exception of Friday) has been very rainy & unpleasant – but today is again beautiful. I think you ought to have indulged yourself with a fire to cheer you in your solitude – it will soon be time to take to them regularly – but even now, one sh^d have them whenever it rains. We have only heard this morning of Charles’s arrival at Whorlton – as the Post is 2 days from thence, and he [sic] not write till after post hour on Thursday. – As he says the mornings are occupied with M^r Headlam, & the afternoons to themselves – and post hour at 3 – he could not find a leisure moment sooner – I ought to explain that owing to the wretched state of the weather on Monday, & having to drive to Birthwaite station in our little open Phaeton, we persuaded him to postpone starting till the following day – and then to travel by railway instead of the Coach – which he did – In such rainy weather this seemed preferable – and the only addition to the route was from Penrith to Carlisle – He much preferred too sleeping at Carlisle – where he says he was very comfortable – He did not recover his hat at Barnard Castle – which, tho he seemed to expect, I confess I did not. –

I shall write tomorrow to Rebecca to prepare all our rooms & make everything comfortable by the 21^st – of course as to the precise day of starting we must be guided by circumstances – and happily there is no impatient landlord in this case to turn us out of his house – We shall feel glad to be at home again after such a lengthened absence. – and I feel particularly anxious that M^lle A sh^d get through the long journey without much discomfort – She is not as strong as usual just now. – and has consulted the Ambleside Doctor, M^r Fell, whom we remember here 8 years ago.. An uncomfortable state of the skin is perhaps saving her from a fit of illness – but it is very irritating and tedious. – and the Doctor’s prescription is chiefly patience & prudence. –

I mention to you this, in case it should occasion a trifling alteration at the last moment about our day of starting – but you shall hear of all ups & downs of course –

Your affectionate
Constance

What did you hear more of Lord M^t Edgcumbe? Was he well enough to leave Chippenham next day? & Where are they all? What brought them to Chippenham? – We have been expecting letters from Caroline for some time – but she writes not.