Oakfield
Monday Novr 26th
My dear Henry
You wished to know how much money would remain of your last remittance, after paying present bills at Keswick – I have been waiting for Mr Tweddle’s till today. – and I now reckon roughly what my house account, & all other outstanding expenses will amount to, (for I cannot ascertain them till the moment of payment arrives, at the end of the week) and after reserving sufficient for the journey to Edinburgh, I expect I shall have £100 – left. Had I better draw this hundred out at last & carry it with me? or can I, for more security, ask Mr Crosthwaite to pay it to my account into the Bank of Scotland, Edinburgh? I may as well explain that I have settled lately the Lacock Coal bill that was owing just before we left home – also a little bill for Saddlery to the Executors of the late Mrs Moore, and a few other trifling accounts which Goodwin collected the other day from Lucy Pullen.
I hope to hear when you come to Edinburgh that you have settled Mr Gale’s bills for 1858 & 59 and that you will bring them along with you for me to keep – There were a few trees bought by him, subsequent to that valuation which I delivered over to you – which should be remembered when balancing the accounts. Please to remember also, that we are in debt to the Melksham Bank £50ּ15ּ3, as I overdrew that amount on June 28. Possibly you may have paid this off since the rent day – or it may have escaped your memory altogether – I have written to Mr Gilder in the way you suggested <1> and I have advised that the packet shall be delivered at the Athenæum sometime in the week beginning Decr 2d I hope you have received the parcel from Simms, the Bath bookseller, which Rod wishes you to bring to Edinburgh – I wrote to Simms to forward it to Lacock by last Saturday’s Carrier; & I hope he did so. –
We send you the Carlisle Journal which contains many details of the Empress Eugénia’s doings & sayings in Scotland – some of which you may have read in the Times – but there is also a curious & very interesting account from the Court Journal – explaining the nature & origin of the poor Empress’s malady, which is well worth reading & bears the stamp of truth – You will find it in the principal sheet of the newspaper which I send you – pray read it – Ela has just recd your letter & thanks you for it – I am very glad to hear that the Australian seeds are already coming up. –
We are passing our time here in the most winterly manner possible – scarcely ever venturing outside the door – and thinking with eagerness of our approaching removal to comfortable, snug, Edinburgh. The East wind is blowing keenly.
Adieu – your affectionate
Constance
Mlle A. has received your letter and thanks you for it – She is pretty well again, I am glad to say. –
[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esqre
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. See Doc. No: 08255. Her recently deceased sister, Marian Gilder, née Mundy (1806 – 14 October 1860); m. 6 August 1844 William Troward Gilder (d. 1871), Army Surgeon (ret).