| Description | London Novem. 24. 1795
Mattw. Boulton Esq
My Dear Sir
I wrote to you the 20th. in reply to yours of the 19th. and I yesterday rode over to Epsom to see the Housekeeper who, if we may judge from appearance, will, I think, suit you-she has just now sprain'd her ancle but it is better & she hopes to be able to set off in about a Week but will wait till we hear again from you-I understand it was not the Housekeepers thought but Mrs. Mary Fothergills-that the Girl that lived at Mr. Knipe's under the Housekeeper wou'd suit you, she was there Kitchen Maid (as Mrs. Bottomley is Cook & Housekeeper)-she had either five or six Pounds there but wou'd expect more with you under the idea of bettering herself-& they both expect you to pay their Journey down-which I suppose you would be oblig'd to do with whatever Servants you might hire-Mrs. Fothergill will go to Mrs. Knipe for the Character-& pray be kind enough to give me a line p. return to say whether you want the Kitchen maid-or have provided yourself. Mrs. Bottomley expressed a Wish that most of the old set shou'd be gone when she made her Entrée-& if that should be the Case I am sure Patty Taylor if still with you will give all the assistance in her Power, and if at the Change she can be of the smallest Use pray keep her till that is over-I heartily wish you a good Set.
One of my Maids having a tooth to take out that the Gum was so grown over that it was dangerous to draw-I sent her to Mr. Dumergue's & bid her give your Compliments & you wou'd be oblig'd to him to take it out for her-he was extremely civil and the Lady said he was very happy to oblige Mr. B.-& he I presume in joke told the young woman he was much oblig'd to you for sending her-asked her if she came from Birmm to which she replied no-but he put no further question to her and I suppose your Character wou'd have suffer'd (for she is a pretty Girl) but Mr. Dumergue asked the young woman that went with her where she came from & it happen'd to be Mrs. Vere's maid: I mention this Liberty I took with your name that if you have any Correspondence with him at present-you may acknowledge it-& get Mrs. Vere's neck out of the Halter for I daresay he thinks it was her sending.
Remember what I proposed above about Patty Taylor is only in case she can be of real Use to you, for if that is not the Case I really want her very much at home. I wait your reply to this before I send Mrs. Bottomley to you.
I beg my kind love to your Son & Daughter & am always Dear Sir
Your most affectionate friend,
C. Matthews |