Wednesday 27 –
My dear Henry
I think we found Antonio <1> a good sort of man, very obliging – & of a mild disposition – but not very brilliant or useful as a house servant – I feel some regard for him as an old servant – but I think you ought to enquire how he has conducted himself in his last service – as he may have fallen into bad ways – If you don’t engage him perhaps we might be fortunate enough to secure the one who went abroad with the Nicholls <2> last year & who has spent the winter with them since at Merthyrmawr <3> – His name is Scheichelbach–<4> He was courrier [sic] to my Cousins the Dowdeswells <5> – afterwards to the Estcourts <6> & then my Brother <7> – & all have spoken most highly of him in every way – I am told that Mr Nicholl wished to have made him his butler but that he preferred his own life of Courrier – From all accounts he is worth 20 Antonios. Marian <8> arrived yesterday in excellent time & looking better than I expected, though miserably thin. – It is very fortunate the weather is become so mild – it will ensure her twice as much good from the change of air – Mrs Moore has been paying me a little visit but went home early today to meet Mr Moore <9> –
No further news from Mount Edgcumbe <10> –
Your affectionate
Constance.
Notes:
1. Antonio Baletti [see Doc. No: 02725].
2. Jane Harriot Nicholl, née Talbot (1796–1874), and Dr John Nicholl (1797–1853), MP.
3. Merthyr Mawr, Glamorgan, on River Ogwr.
4. Constance initially had difficulty with the spelling of the name of Mr. Scheichelbaur, a courier and travelling servant to various branches of the Talbot family in 1844 until at least 1863.
5. Her cousin, Sophy Dowdeswell, née Mundy (1812- 19 May 1847), m. 1833, John Christopher Dowdeswell (1812-1850), and died in childbirth.
6. Thomas Henry Sutton Sotheron Bucknall Estcourt (1801–1876), MP; and his wife, Lucy Sarah (d. 1870), daughter of Admiral Frank Sotheran.
7. William Mundy (1801-1877), politician, WHFT’s brother-in-law.
8. Her sister, Marian Gilder, née Mundy (1806 – 14 October 1860); m. 6 August 1844 William Troward Gilder (d. 1871), Army Surgeon (ret).
9. Elizabeth (Bessie) Moore, née Dyke (1783–1865), wife of Thomas Moore (1780–1852), Irish poet.
10. Mt Edgecumbe, near Plymouth: seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe.