Lacock Abbey
October 1st
My dear Henry
Carey <1> has given me an estimate which I think you may wish to have without delay & therefore I will copy it to save you a double letter. –
“Estimate for a new lead gutter – Gutter boards – and stripping & relaying, Tiling of our end of the roof – including Plumber’s Tiler’s & Carpenter’s work – £4 · 9 · 0”
Our Cook Mary Mucklestone leaves our service on Thursday – on my giving her warning she requested, as a favor, to be released thus early – She goes up to London, & I think she had better take charge of your books – if you approve – Several young women from the village have been to offer themselves as kitchen maid – but I have replied that I mean to take time to consider. – for I don’t like to be hurried about it, especially without consulting you – Mlle Amélina <2> & I are extremely anxious for news for your arrival, & in particular of Lady Elisabeth’s <3> health which we hope the post will bring us tomorrow. – We are so grieved that you should have the désagrément of thick fogs just on your first arrival in London – I suppose you must have studied by candlelight today – for even here it has been quite dark but yesterday was beautiful, & Mlle Amélina went out to sun herself in the garden for the first time. I think the walk did her good although she felt very weak & tired – & she is certainly much better altogether & talks of getting up to Breakfast with me tomorrow morning – she desires her particular complimens [sic] to you & Lady Elisabeth, Caroline <4> &c –
The children are very well – Rosamond <5> misses you extremely & asked most perseveringly for you yesterday. – ‘Papa’ ‘papa’ – & pushed me to go with her in search of you. –
I have thought of another commission for you – rather a strange one you will say, but if you don’t fancy it yourself you can get it executed by Some femme de chamber. It is to procure for me 2 sets of sewing cotton of the usual useful sizes – from Swan & [missing text] Edgar’s <6> – with whom you are acquainted.
Price <7> says that no sewing cotton she has ever tried is equal to theirs, which is the reason for my troubling you, as we happen to want a supply exceedingly –
Your affte
Constance
H. F. Talbot Esqre
31 Sackville Street
London
Notes:
1. William Carey (d. 1855), tiler and plasterer at Lacock Abbey.
2. Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal].
3. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.
4. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister.
5. Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter.
6. Text torn away under seal.
7. Mrs Sarah Henneman, first m Price ( ca.1811–1848), housemaid at Lacock Abbey.
8. Nurse.