Great Stuart Street

Monday Nov 28^th

My dear Henry

I have received no letter from you since that of the 24^th, which I acknowledged on Saturday by return of post, and said that our two, Mamie & R^d, with Henriette, had joined us safely from Dabton. I did not write yesterday having little at that time to add – and I had almost expected a line from you today: with some of your views on the subject of Goodwin’s fitness or unfitness for retaining his situation on the recovery of his health. I sh^d very much like to know what you think about it – but as you have not yet written again, I think you may possibly be waiting to hear how he is going on. Yesterday the Doctor gave him leave to sit up, or rather to rest of on the couch in your bed room – which he did from 1 O’Clock till 8 – This morning he again rose & dressed – and contrary to the Doctor’s orders, he went down into the Pantry. where Monie saw him, as she was passing to the give some orders for me to the Cook. Monie was shocked by his cadaverous, emaciated looks – and told him he was to go back immediately & remain quietly on the sofa. Henriette & Carpenter assisted him upstairs. – & they lit the fire & made him comfortable & gave him a Book. – But you see from this that it will never do to keep him longer in the house, than is absolutely necessary. I must ask D^r Moir tomorrow to fix on some place where we may send him to be taken care of, as soon as his strength will permit of his being moved. It should be some place near Edinburgh when D^r Moir can occasionally visit him & where our Maids may also go & see him. – So that he may stay there willingly for a time & not feel himself cast off. I dare say you have heard from Charles – & know his decided opinion – that it would be better both for us & for G. himself to retire, as being no longer equal, through weak health. to discharge his duties of Butler: and so to receive from you some pension, in acknowledgement of past faithful services – Charles observes that whatever may have caused this attack now, it is an undeniable fact that he has long been very inefficient in his situation, & he doubts the wisdom of letting him remain, even should he become an abstainer. – I quite agree with Charles – & so do the others – but the Ladies maids, of course, take the opposite view, from “esprit de corps” – We much wish to know what you think yourself. – and when do you propose coming, supposing that your room can be cleared & put ready for you? M^cCall gives us great satisfaction, as a quiet & competent Servant. I hope Thomas behaves well at Lacock – in his responsible capacity. – Monie’s help in this house & household is invaluable to me, as I am now feeling rather over worked – She & Ela <was?> gone out in the fog, poor things to execute some business – R^d promises to be Housekeeper for me at present, & no one can be better fitted for it.

I must now answer some question in your letters. The Bishop’s Book is not wanted till you come; but please to bring it with you. We approve greatly of your ordering those trees to be cut down in the Botanic gardens, to make a clearance, for it is grown wild as positive Wilderness – The old Crab tree is a sad wreck & will be better away – and we think also that Wilkins is right about the Walnut tree. Two of them are too oppressive in that situation, and that one bothers the Nettle-tree – Are you feeling very dull? or too busy to perceive yourself lonely? Charles seems resolved on the Sea air of Weston in preference to any other, since he has gone into lodgings – M^lle A tells me she has just read in the ‘Scotsman’ of a bad railway accident near Harrow – and 2 others, all owing to those fogs – Pray never set out in a fog when you are going to travel – rather put off at the last minute – for it is so dangerous.

Your very affectionate

Constance

The Walnut tree should be preserved – as its wood is pretty for cabinet work.