Froxfield n^r Hungerford
Berks. 5 Jan^y 1850

My dear Sir,

I fear my present letter may occasion yourself & M^rs Talbot surprize & disappointment, but, I trust, it will not entail any serious in-conveneince

During the latter part of the half-year just concluded, I had been feeling far from well, & oppressed by un-easy symptoms in the head, & altho' I am now considerably better, yet my Medical Attendant strongly urges upon me the necessity of a Complete change of scene, with extra relaxation, & heated repose - I have come therefore to the resolution to retire fro at Easter, from that occupation, at w^h I have laboured, now, for above a quarter of a century - I should regret this circumstance the more but that I have in my Curate & assistant for the last four years Mr Williams as able & efficient a Successor, in every way, as I could desire, & Mrs Williams has, also, been with us two years & a half, & for an entire half-year (during M^rs Atwoods absence from illness) had the sole charge of the household department & who has the Care of my "little Flock", & how ably she discharged this most responsible duty I can well testify, as I have no doubt also, would those Parents who then had children with me - So that I feel that the Parents of my present party need not be put, [illegible deletion] to any inconvenience arising from the necessity of change. & this I confess is a great relief to me -

If I might be allowed to advise, I would say - bring your little boy to me, at the time you proposed accompanied by M^rs Talbot - remain the night with us & make the personal acquaintance of M^r & M^rs Williams - I think you will be pleased with them (I am sorry they had driven in to Gloucester when you called upon us) - I s^d be at Ashelworth ^<1> till Easter & the remaining three months during M^rs Atwoods absence

M^rs Atwood now accompanies my Daughter to Brighton, where we think the Warm or Vapour Baths may be of service to her & shall remain there till I rejoin her at Easter preparatory to going abroad -

My address will be for a little time as given on this letter, & when I leave here my letters will be duly forwarded

I beg my kind regards to M^rs Talbot & Miss Feilding if with you & with every good wish of the season.

I remain My dear Sir Y^rs Very sincerely
HAS Atwood.

[envelope:
H. Fox Talbot Esq^re
for M^rs Talbot
Lacock Abbey
n^r Chippenham

Notes:

1. Now known as Ashleworth.