United University Club
Suffolk St. WC
May 30th 1870
My dear Mr Talbot,
My mother has forwarded me your letter to her. I am surprised to find by it that you seemed disposed to throw obstacles in my way of immediate exchange. Of course a triple exchange as in the case of Mr Roach would take much time: in the case of Mr Blomfield it is quite out of the question for two reasons 1st if he were to agree to exchange for a consideration it would be Simoniacal in the 2nd place there is a servant of his a Lacock woman resident there, and also a boy who has page at Sir John’s which you prevent my ever thinking of the place, as I wish to go where I am quite unknown.
I have had an interview with the Bishop who was very kind, and will help me to the best of his power. With regard to my arrangement with Mr Roach, I have proposed to him to remain at Lacock for another month, at the end of that time if I have not concluded an exchange I shall have to consider whether I shall continue to employ him or get some one else on more reasonable terms: I am present paying him nearly double the normal stipend and if I had contemplated keeping him so long I should never have done so. Anybody I shall propose to you to accept as my successor, will of course be a person whom I shall consider likely to carry on the work at Lacock in the same way I had and of course I shall be very careful that he is proper person besides I know that the Bishop will be very particular as to the character & opinions of my successor.
Yours truly
Edward P. Nicholl