Lacock Abbey
Thursday July 8th
My dear Henry
Mr Carey <1> has made an excellent proposal about the floor of the Stone gallery. – He says he can easily fill up those had holes with Cement that will be quite hard & lasting, only it will be black instead of stone color – but I don’t think that will be an objection under the mat where it will not be seen. – And if preferred the black patches may be painted afterwards. – He says the expense of this will be trifling. – Do you approve of its being done? – I think it would be an excellent thing to have those dangerous holes filled up. – And the expense of new laying the stones & putting fresh ones instead of those which are worn out, would be much too great. – 30£ – Mr Carey thinks it wd cost. –But the filling with Cement wd be quite a trifle he says – As soon as I have your answer I will order him to set about it, for the sooner it is done the better. – The washing of the walls will be finished tomorrow – and very pretty they look already. Matilda <2> is playing about with her Aunts <3> so happy! I am quite impatient to know how you like Barmouth –
Your affectionate
Constance.
H. Fox Talbot Esqre
Post Office
Barmouth
N Wales
31 Sackville Street
Piccadilly
London
Notes:
1. William Carey (d. 1855), tiler and plasterer at Lacock Abbey.
2. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3rd daughter.
3. Laura Mundy (1805–1842); Marian Gilder, née Mundy (1806 – 14 October 1860); m. 6 August 1844 William Troward Gilder (d. 1871), Army Surgeon (ret).; WHFT’s sisters-in-law.