Lacock. February 9th 1865
My dear Mr Talbot,
My foundations are not begun yet but I am getting on with my garden &c. I had the alterations made in the plan, but I find it considerably adds to the expense almost £150, but I agree with you it will greatly improve the house both inside and out. I am going up to London to see Henry Bruce about the school next week, when I hope to pursuade him to be satisfied with the site. I have had it valued by Mr Wood of Chippenham who values the present school buildings and site at the small sum of £220, and he estimates the adjoining house and ground at £85. I want to know what you intend to do, we are, as I propose, to buy this of you, and you to give us the freehold of the present school, how far will you assist in the building of the new rooms, I think, to carry out the plan entire, it will take from £1100 to £1200, this includes the purchase of the adjoining building as proposed. I have made a rough calculation that we shall by this save about £45 a year which will enable us to have some more teachers, which we much want. Sir John Awdry has promised to do all he can to help out the scheme. There has been a great deal of sickness in the parish particularly among the children, a sort of low fever, but it is passing off. It has been a trying winter for the poor.
The yew trees do not turn out well the centres are not firm, and I am afraid that we shall have some difficulty in getting sufficient, but if there is enough I think it will make a beautiful Staircase. The cuttings about the Abbey have made a great clearance, but one must wait till the summer to see the effect. I got the new orchids from the Horticultural Soc: ballot which I have handed over to Wilkyns, I hope they will turn out something good.
Please to remember me to Mrs Talbot &c.
Yours truly
Edward P. Nicholl
[envelope:]
H F. Talbot Esq
13 Great Stuart Street
Edinburgh