11 April 1867
Dear Sir,
There will be no difficulty about making the payment of Mr Nicholls <1> Loan optional at 6 or 12 months. I purpose holding your Audit during the last Week in April – but will be happy to make a payment to your Bankers at Edinburgh of £250 at once, as you suggest – Lacock will miss you all very much during the Summer but your proposed tour on the Continent will doubtless be very delightful to you, and your daughters <2>, especially. Of course you will take the Exhibition at Paris én route. I have not met your Son <3> yet but Wilkins <4> told me last Week he was expecting him. I must send you a County paper giving an Account of a very Exciting Meeting at Salisbury last Tuesday There were 90 Magistrates present – The principal question was the relation of both Gaols, or making the one at Devizes serve for the whole County – The latter proposal was carried by 57 votes agt 32 –
I remain Yours obliged
West Awdry
[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esq.
13 Gt. Stuart Street
Edinbrugh
Notes:
1. Rev Edward Powell Nicholl (1831–1902), Vicar of Lacock from 1864 until his resignation in 1870; photographer.
2. Rosamond Constance ‘Monie’ Talbot (1837–1906), artist & WHFT’s 2nd daughter, Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3rd daughter, Ela Theresa Talbot (1835–1893), WHFT’s 1st daughter.
3. Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.
4. John Wilkins, son of George Wilkins, employed at Lacock ca.1867–1869.