Lacock
Sunday
My dear Henry –
I am glad you have got a house knowing as I well do the torment of hunting for one – I only regret its not being near enough for us to be of more use to you & to see more of you than we shall now be able to do – You know my opinion of Mr Awdry, & that useful as I think him in some respects I hold him totally unequal to the double duty of Bailiff & Steward – I do not know however (unless indeed he had no one to serve but yourself) that it comes within his line of duty to examine the clause of the railway bill <1> – every days experience convinces me more that you ought to have a Bailiff, an active intelligent man used to country affairs, & makes me the more regret your not having announced your intention of looking for one to Mr A – from Sidmouth, because I might have been for once useful to you in the search & in saving you the trouble of seeing many before one presented himself who I thought likely to suit – I wish Blackham <2> were 10 years younger I think he would make a very good one if he had that requisite – It is not likely I shall return here to stay before I go abroad – I will go to Nethermore <3> tomorrow & make a report in the sand affair, certainly the Tenant ought not to have allowed any to be taken away without leave – We have had a Philosopher here a Peripatetic – he lectured two evenings, on astronomy & other matters – I went once & sent all the servants he has very good machinery, & is not without intelligence but being self taught fails in expressing himself –
Yr aff
C. F
W. H. F. Talbot Esqr
Sackville St
Notes:
1. He refers to The Great Western Railway Company, which intended to build a branch line [the Wiltshire, Somerset and Weymouth Railway] running across WHFT’s land. WHFT was disputing the amount of compensation offered by the GWR Company.
2. Mr Blackham (d. 1860). [See Doc. No: 08130].
3. Nethermore Farm and Wood, Lacock, Wiltshire.