Lacock Thursday
Aug. 12. 1869
My Dear Constance
We have engaged a young footman, 16 years of age, well recommended by a leading physician at the West End, with whom he lived 6 months. And I have engaged an underhousemaid who lived 5 years in Mr West Awdrys family, and happened to be leaving his service this week – She is 20 years old and very strong – she only left because she wishd “to better herself” –
The Registry office in London, who found the footman for us, will undertake to find a good cook for a job, for a month or so, if we like to engage one during Matilda’s visit, or at any other time. I daresay the wine you bought at Dijon will amuse us to compare the qualities of the 14 sorts, and if Mr Clark is a good judge we will order more of the sort he approves –
Weather extremely pleasant. The School buildings are getting on. Charles visits them every day to see how they progress – He thinks the building will look well.
If you sleep at Boulogne the day you leave Paris, you will have the opportunity of judging of the weather – If a high wind prevails, you might stay a day or two at Boulogne till it moderates. Do not overfatigue yourself. I shall not expect you in London if I see that the weather is at all stormy, & I shall stay very contentedly at the Athenæum, till you come. I hope Ela got the Riccarton letter, & you the Vevay letter which I forwarded 2 days ago –
Your affte
Henry