Lacock Abbey
Monday Oct 20^th

My dear Henry

I have just seen M^r Beckett ^<1> & delivered you message & sentiments concerning the table. ^<2> – He expressed the most entire readiness to conform to your views – but in explanation of his idea of the Table, he wishes me to state to you that the whole was intended to be moveable – though not readily. – Also – it was to be set up in parts & when removed would come to pieces. – The only fixture would be the brackets in the wall to support the marble slab – the front of which would rest on 2 legs – M^r Beckett thinks that perhaps this explanation may remove your objection – if not he will have 4 legs to the table – but he thinks it will look better with 2 – How it may look appears however of little importance when one considers that on Sundays it will be always covered – M^rs B. seemed to think it would be a pity to hide the handsome legs – & suggested that the drapery should fall behind the legs instead of covering the whole – but M^r B. said this was equally as liable to objection as the fixing of the table & for the same reason. – Still he would prefer to show the legs if you saw no objection – and he will wait your opinion on both these points, before the work is begun. He proposes to let the legs drop into a holes in the floor made purposely to receive them in order that the weight of the marble slab may be securely supported – but he doesn’t think this indispensable if you object –

Ela’s ^<3> cold is very bad at present & will have its course like all colds –

Your affectionate
Constance

I have had a visit from old M^rs Awdry^<4> & have lent her some of your Works to examine at her leisure – for she is a great admirer of the Talbotype.

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Notes:

1. Curate, Lacock Church.

2. Rev Beckett was presenting a (communion) table to Lacock Church to mark his departure from the parish. See Doc. No: 05490.

3. Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1^st daughter.

4. The wife or mother of one of WHFT's longtime solicitors.