1, Prince’s Gate London
July 18 1855
My dear Talbot,
I regret that your Scottish Tour will keep you away from Lacock at the time of the meeting of the Wilts A. Sy But thank you in their name for the permission to view the Abbey Even in your absence. We shall try to find a Circerone among such of our local antiquaries as have made a study of Bowles &c. But if you could recommend us one, so much the better. Is not your Rector well acquainted with the Story of his Parish? I was under the impression that you had yourself been engaged on some emendations & additions to Bowles’s History, and might take this occasion to produce them. But if this is impossible, we shall be obliged for any paper of general Antiquarian, topographical or Natural Historical interest you can supply us with, as our strict rule Exists on the subject – But of course matters of local nature are more interesting & amusing to a provincial audience, and if we can obtain any such from our neighbours, in sufficient bulk for the purpose, You will, I am sure, not be sorry that we should postpone your more generally but less locally interesting contribution – if indeed you are so good as to send me one.
Nothing however will supply the void of your personal aid; so I still shall hope that you may be back from Scotland by the 11th September –
I am yours vy truly
G Poulett Scrope
[envelope:]
H. Fox Talbot Esqre
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham