Lacock Wedn^y 14 Dec^r

My Dear Constance

Your letter of yesterday which I received this morning gives an account of Goodwin which appears to be a shade better. I do not see that more can be done for him than you are now doing. I quite agree with you that he had better continue to have the use of my room and if that is determined on, of course I shall not think of coming to Edinburgh at Christmas. I can go to London for a week or two, about that time, if I wish to go anywhere, but at present I am very comfortable here and very busy – The weather is much warmer which is a great improvement since the passages have now recovered that moderate temperature which physicians say is wholesome. I don’t know when Charles is coming next as I have only had one letter from him – I do not know how we shall get another Butler – perhaps John will let us know if he hears of one, as he has an extensive acquaintance. I am glad you saw him the other day, and that Ela and Monie have been dining with the Abbotts – M^r A. must feel rather dés œuvré now he has quitted the Post office – perhaps he regrets his letters and mails. The newspapers continue to be very interesting, and as to the war and Politics, as some one said some time ago “nous n’avons pas vû la fin de tout cela” – It is said that Prussia has torn up the treaty she made with Europe in 1867 about Luxembourg – Good faith appears to have vanish’d from the world – It is a comfort to reflect that England maintain’d it longest.

Love to all Your aff^te

Henry