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13 Great Stuart Street

Friday Dec^r 2^d 1870.

My dear Henry

We do not feel the want of ‘the Times’ at present. We take ‘the Scotsman’, and can have the ‘Daily News’ or any others, should there be a turn in political events to make us desire more detailed information – Just now we have no leisure to read ‘the Times’ – so do not (please) order it – I had your letter yesterday of Nov^r 29 – in answer to my last: and that of Nov^r 27 I think crossed one of mine and I feel sure that we have received all yours – & that you have rec^d all ours. I can only report today of poor Goodwin, that his extreme weakness gives us much anxiety.

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I have urged this upon D^r Moir’s attention – for I do not think he was at all apprehensive of any want of power in his Patient to rally – He thought that as soon as the attack passed off, Goodwin would enjoy better health than for years past. but <sic> doctors invariably make this mistake & lower their Patients too much – yesterday he began to administer tonics more freely – and today he says he may take 2 glasses of Burgundy & water with his meals – and he gives him as large a quantity of other stimulants & tonics as may be taken with safety. – I hope therefore that by this time tomorrow we shall see a decided improvement – & you shall have a report either from my pen or another – Don’t mistake me, or fancy that we consider Goodwin

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now in danger of sinking – but, without exaggerating, there is a greater failure of strength than we like to see – therefore it is that I spoke so seriously to D^r Moir this morning – The case seems simple enough; but should other advice be necessary, I would ask him to have a consultation with our neighbour D^r W. Begbie.

It is quite clear that Goodwin’s recovery, must, (under any change for the better) be extremely slow – it will be impossible to look for his becoming fit to resume his duties – We may consider that as a settled thing. But he is of course too ill now to say anything to him, or even to the other Servants on this subject. All we can do is to

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nurse him in the best way we can. Henriette will attend constantly today to give him the wines and proper nourishment at regular hours. Luckily he has no dislike to food. – Rosamond (who is goodness and kind heartedness itself) called in passing your room to ask him how he felt both today & yesterday – and she thought he looked much thinner & weaker than even that morning when he strayed down to the Pantry – and which I told you of – indeed we are quite sure that he could not now get down alone to the pantry if he attempted it – His friendly attendant M^r Campbell, called in to see him the day before yesterday – and even he seemed to think him

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changed for the worse – and then the doctor allowed kept him too low; which is sometimes a fault in his treatm^t – So now we shall be on our guard. Of course there is no question of change of air for Goodwin at present, since he is quite unfit for it. The arrangement of rooms here is most convenient both for himself & the persons who attend on him. Henriette rests comfortably at night on your soft couch: & is at hand to give him anything that he wants – He is able to dress himself without assistance, but he turned very faint this morning once or twice. – Yesterday we were out to the China shop in the

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old Town to buy some things that were wanted. The weather was dry & fine, but cold – Today is also cold, but gloomy & foggy. Indoors we are as warm & comfortable as possible. – Monie asks you to tell Charles that she had intended writing to him today – but will do so tomorrow & give at the same time the promised bulletin of Goodwin – Ela thanks Charles for two letters. Does he return to his lodgings at Weston or is he going to stay awhile with you at Lacock Abbey – Your account of M^r Roach’s interview with the Bishop was very interesting and very satisfactory – I think all throughout, the Bishop has acted towards you & towards Lacock in a very friendly manner – I hope either you or Charles

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or both will be present on the occasion of the Reading-in on Sunday – Were you not sorry for M^r Spedding’s death? – I think I told you it was quite sudden from disease of the heart.

We are getting almost settled – but the Agent’s carelessness gave much trouble –Rosamond has been wholly occupied – and I have done very little since she came – in these matters. I am less tired than I was – and we are all as well as can be expected! – that is quite well –

Love to Charles when he joins you –

Your affectionate

Constance.

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Excuse my having turned 2 pages of my paper inadvertently. –

I scarcely think M^cCall will do for a permanent Servant – He is very civil & waits well, but is not clean in his Pantry – Scotch Servants are not used to tidy ways –