18 Upper Parade
Leamington, Warwickshire
Dear Talbot
You mentioned in your last letter <1> to me that you should ask the Bishop of Rochester <2> for a curacy for Mr Rogers, <3> and as I suppose increase of stipend might tempt him to leave his present cure of Laycock, I will look out for what would give me a chance of being placed there.
Though I am fully aware that you may not be able to accomplish all your kindness suggests in my behalf: perhaps it would be worth while (now that I am at Leamington, 50 miles on my way from Wing to Wiltshire) to go & see Lacock parsonage. You can give me your opinion as to this proposal; and say whether I should call on Mr Rogers – that would be the only means of seeing the house properly – though, from your description, I shall be quite content to make that curacy my chief object, without seeing the house –
My visiting it would remove that small responsibility (to use an awful word about a trifle) from you – and probably make me more anxious for it.
Can you say whether Mr Rogers is single or married; has weak or powerful lungs; and desires an arduous or a quiet curacy: as all these points are useful in directing my enquiries.
I brought my family here on Wednesday, for the benefit of this air to the health of one of our little ones, who has been very ill.
I shall remain here for a fortnight
Believe me yours very sincerely
Charles Porter
Henry F. Talbot Esqre
31. Sackville Street
London
Notes:
1. Letter not located.
2. George Murray, Bishop of Rochester and Dean of Worcester (1784–1860).
3. Robert Rogers, Curate at Lacock.