Lacock Abbey
Feby 28th
Sir
I Send enclosed the Scilla of Zante <1> as you ordered – I hope it may not get crushed on its way &c &c –
the weather continues so wet that it prevents me from completing several jobs, – this day we have had only about three hours fine weather the river still keeps so high that I cannot get at the young trees to do anything to them, and I fear it will be much higher tomorrow,
I have taken up a good quantity of gravel for My Lady in the park as much as gravelled from the cascade to the Alcove I have had so much carting to & from the park that I was obliged to employ Knott <2>, for one day to assist me with two horses and a cart I paid him 6s/0 which I consider very moderate, I have been carting & spreading the Mud in the stew ground to day but could not do much at it I then carted the dung from the stables as I had more shelter there than in the stew ground &c &c
Your obdt Huble Servt
C Fitzsimmons
H. F. Talbot, Esqr M. P
31 Sackville Street
Piccadilly
London
Notes:
1. A plant of the Hyacinth family.
2. Richard Knott, of Lacock.