Notton,
Chippenham. <1>
July 7/70
My dear Mr Talbot
I am very sorry not to see you, but have to-day been all Day at the petty Sessions, and to-morrow have to be at the Reformatory at Warminster. If you still wish to talk to me, I will either await you at Home or call at the Abbey at any Hour you may name –
As I do not know the Nature of Mr Nicholl’s Objections to Mr Roach I can not give an Opinion on them – But as to the working of the Parish which a Layman can see I shd say that after making due Allowances for his being a stranger, not in strong Health & on so uncertain a Tenure, it was eminently satisfactory. He has set himself to become acquainted with all Classes – is assiduous in visiting the sick & poor, and as far as I can see in his Duties generally. As a Preacher he is extremely popular, and I cannot see that there is any thing unsound or fanatical in his Doctrine, or any thing objectionable either in the Way of Excess or Deficiency in his ritual Practice –
Believe me
Yours vy sincerely
J W Awdry
Notes:
1. Chippenham, Wiltshire: largest town near Lacock, 3 miles N.