Chipping Norton
Sept 28th 1877
My Darling Eugénie,
I think you will naturally look for a letter on Sunday morning, so I will write this evening, before bed time, in readiness for the morning post.
There was a sale to-day of a few effects in our house so I was able to have a partial look round, although many of the rooms were locked up, the place is in a very untidy state but I hope to effect a great change for the better e’er I bring my darling home, it will indeed be a labour of love preparing a house for the Queen of my heart – my own sweet charming Eugénie!
And now for a few details, as far as I can go, I find the entrance passage and the walls upstairs to the drawing-room are painted, what tint should you like them done in, French grey, light buff, stone colour, or what? I have not yet seriously considered it and shall be glad of your opinion to help decide. The dining-room is a good large square room, perhaps a trifle dark, with painted walls, I think you suggested a very pale green for the future which I think would look well, there is the little room adjoining, in fact communicating which is I believe also painted and if so I should think had better match the dining-room as we have already chosen similar curtains, by the way I think there are no curtain poles or cornices, my idea is mahogany poles and rings for the dining room and little room and gilt cornices for the drawing room, tell me what you think; the drawing room is a nice sized room, in fact large, rather too long for the width but nothing much to complain about, it is a very light room and the ceiling appears to be painted should you think it well to have it done so again instead of whitewash and if so what shade of colour? The walls must be repapered but as the room is light perhaps the paper had better not be very light, say some greyish tint and gold, but this is your room so do not hesitate to choose: by the way, what should you suggest regarding the graining of the doors & windows in dining & drawing rooms what wood do you prefer?
I could not see many of the bedrooms, but I went into what must be ours a famous large well pitched room looking out into a nice little piece of garden (when properly cultivated) to this room there is a quaint little dressing room attached to which you descend by two steps. I fear the other rooms are too low pitched to admit of the tester bedstead with hangings that we choose for our spare room, however I have written to Heal & Son to know the exact height, perhaps if necessary they could lower it a little without detriment but if not will it do to have a plain French bedstead without hangings?
You will think this rather a business letter but, my darling, as I shall always like to consult my wife in everything and get the benefit of her good taste and tact, so now I like to talk over these matters with my own Eugénie who, somehow, does not seem yet to be quite tired of her lover!
I am glad to hear that Papa is better and that Fred has found a benefit in his change of scene & air. Fanny and Charlie will be glad of a larger house but I shall be sorry if neither of your sisters are able to come to our wedding.
Mr Betteridge of Chipping Norton is a celebrated aster grower, though but a nurseryman in a small way, it is on his ground I grow part of my roses and also my gladioli, a mile from here.
The Blisses are back again, Willie dines with me on Monday, subject, a goose!
We shall be less busy after stock taking Oct 1st and now, darling, I must leave further gossip till my next letter I am very, very happy in the possession of your dear love,
Ever believe me
Your own affectionate
Julius Sladden
