Mt Edg <1>
March 16th 1837.
Dear Henry
Government have at last permitted a building to be commenced at Stonehouse point in which the iron ship tanks are to be hammered instead of, as at present, in the open air.
The first object is to put a stop to the great nuisance of the noise to this place and the neighbourhood. Most probably among your numerous philosophic friends you have one who has paid particular attention to sound and you would do a real kindness by obtaining for me any advice as to the best method of forming a building, whose chief duty be to monopolize and if possible keep within itself the most infernal row that ever frightened away peace and quiet from a neighbourhood.
When I said that the first that the first object was to abate the nuisance I of course meant the second for in all Govt transactions economy is the first the result to be attained the second, no plan would therefore be adopted that involved much expence, at present it is only proposed to build an oblong stone building with double sky lights and to hang the interior with loose sail cloth, Our science here, only enables us to think of those very simple expedients, but as it is a subject of very serious interest to inhabitants <sic> of this place, any further suggestions would be most gratefully received.
Your sisters <2> are quite well. They slept on the water for a ball & are not yet returned. Give my kind remembrances to Constance <3>
most truly yours
Valletort
The ground I fear must be hard as a great quantity of water is used.Notes:
1. Mt Edgecumbe, near Plymouth: seat of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe.
2. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister, and Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810–1851), WHFT’s half-sister.
3. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.