My dear Henry, This to explain M^r Anderson, keeper of Holyrood Chapel (a retired Butler, as Mushet tells me, and not a very easy person to treat with) is commissioned by L^d Dunmore to take a house in Edinburgh for Lady Dunmore’s confinement from July 4^th to Sep^t 4^th. He has made an offer of £60 for the two months – which Mushet^<1> said to him was too low a rent, M^r Anderson replied that he was not authorized to give more, whereas we know from M^rs Napier that their house in Ainslie place was first thought of – for the same Lady – and Taylor the Agent in Princes S^t asked £60 per month rent. It is not supposed that anything like that sum would have been agreed to by L^d Dunmore as there is such choice of houses at this season, and a smaller one than ours at a lower rent would answer the purpose – as they have no family yet: or perhaps one Baby only. – The question is, should Mushet let our house go for £30 per month, or lose the chance of letting it during the summer? He scarcely thinks it likely at this late period that anything else should offer until the winter – He says that the low rent now will not depreciate its value in the winter season, and this short let will entail upon us no extra expense beyond the giving over & taking back the Inventory. – One lifting of carpets & house cleaning will do for the twelve months. –

I am inclined to think we had better come to terms if possible. Answer by return of Post, that I may get it on Monday

Thanks for your letter of this morng – The Hamper is come & the Strawberries are delicious – I suppose they are still frame-grown. D^r Moir^<2> lunched with us & enjoyed them much. The Plant shall be taken to Professor Balfour’s^<3> tomorrow. –

Wilkins^<4> writes that the crop of grass is very abundant this season – and that he wants more sun than he appears to be favored with at present for making it into hay.

I must close this for the early post, and am just going to drive to Riccarton along with Ela^<5> to take Linay to his temporary asile with Bessy, Craig –

Your affectionate
Constance

This letter of which I enclose a copy was posted an hour since to M^r Anderson – no answer of course till this evening or tomorrow – therefore I could not wait for it before writing to know your wishes –

[enclosed copy:]

2 Hope Street
Edinburgh 21^st June 1867

D. Anderson Esq^re

Dear Sir

We have had a long sederunt with M^rs Talbot & she cannot bring her mind to let 13. Great Stuart Street for a less sum than seventy Pounds for the time you name, without consulting M^r Talbot; but she has given us authority to close with you now, for that Sum; and if you do not feel disposed to agree to this, M^rs Talbot will write to her husband & get his reply by Monday, which we hope will not inconvenience you, but we would rather have you to consent to the £70 – at once & settle the matter.

There is no Stable in connexion with the house, and it is understood that the family keeps the Housem^d & pays her wages for the time, and also Gas – and water duty.

Dear Sir Your m ob. Serv^ts
(signed) John Mushet & Son

Friday 21^st June

[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esq^re
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wiltshire

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Notes:

1. John Mushet & Son, House Agents, Edinburgh (John b. 1811, son David b. 1842).

2. Dr John Moir (b 1809), French-born to British parents, MD, 52 Castle St, Edinburgh.

3. Dr John Hutton Balfour (1808-1884), Scottish botanist.

4. George Wilkins (b. 1814), gardener at Lacock.

5. Ela Theresa Talbot (25 Apr 1835 - 25 Apr 1893), WHFT's 1^st daughter.