Chippenham <1>
1 Augt 1862
Dear Sir,
I ought to have answered your letter ’ere <sic> this but I have delayed doing so from day to day in the hope that Croker your Tenant would have called and paid his Rent – He is always behind hand but I dare say he will be here this Week – in the mean time perhaps you will be good enough to say how I shall remit £200 – and I will do so as soon as I hear from you whether he has paid his Rent or not – Captn Gladstone <2> has not given me a decided answer about taking the Cottage & piece of Land on Bewley Common <3>, or the piece of Land only – he wishes to have the latter at all Events, but I think he ought to have both – I am sorry I cannot report any progress at present at Seend as to the Iron Works, nor is it likely, I conceive, till the American War is over that people will be inclined to speculate in such matters – I will write you fully with reference to the questions you ask about the Lacock Church, next Week, but I put away your letter before I left home for the Assizes, and cannot at this moment refer to it – George Wilkins <4> seems delighted with his visit to Edinburgh and the Exhibition and all your kindness to him –
With best regards to Mrs Talbot <5> and all your family
Believe me Yours obliged
West Awdry.
P.S.I duly remitted Mr Clarks money
Notes:
1. Chippenham, Wiltshire: largest town near Lacock, 3 miles N.
2. Captain John Neilson Gladstone (1807–1863), MP.
3. Bewley Common, Wiltshire, 1 mi E of Lacock.
4. George Wilkins (b. 1814), gardener at Lacock.
5. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.