Chippenham ^<1>
25^th Jan^ry 1837

Dear Sir /

I now feel quite satisfied that there is nothing to be apprehended on the subject of the Gates at Bewley Common ^<2> – the Clerk of the Roads does not claim the right to prohibit their erection – as heretofore – from any recent local Act of Parliam^t – but in consequence of their being considered a general nuisance –

If this is proved to be the case, of course it will be fair for the Commissioners of the Road to call on the Leazeholders of the Common to keep a person at each Gates, at reasonable Hours – & this may be done at a trifling expence – by an old person in a Sentry Box – as in the Neighbourhood of M^r Ashe’s House at Langley Common – but to suppose that the Commissioners would have power to prevent the Common being [illegible] during the Summer (w^ch must be the case if there were no Gates erected) is quite out of the question –

I have had what I suppose to be a slight attack of Influenza & was afraid of going to Lacock on Monday, but sent one of my younger Sons with the Plan of the Railway – thinking you were there – & he left it with Admiral Feilding ^<3> – who talked of sending it to you in a Parcel – the lower Line in red is the new one & it does not appear to take more of your Land, than the original Line, & M^r Osborne ^<4> appears disposed on the part of the Company, to offer every thing that is liberal in the way of compensation – & it is fortunate with respect to your Property – that the Line of the Railway is entirely behind Inwood ^<5> & away from the Village –

I have £100– ready to pay on account of Arrears – & will trouble you to mention when you write next – where you would wish it paid – M^r Gundry ^<6> asked me the same question with reference to a small Balance of yours in his hands –

I am Dear Sir Y^r obliged Ser^t
W. H. Awdry

P.S.
M^r Coombs in a Letter this morning received asks for your present residence, and whether you are likely to remain there for a few days – I have replied that you are at Sidmouth
W: Awdry.

H. F. Talbot Esq
Post office, Sidmouth
Devon

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Notes:

1. Chippenham, Wiltshire: largest town near Lacock, 3 miles N.

2. Bewley Common, Wiltshire, 1 mi E of Lacock.

3. Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (1780–1837), Royal Navy; WHFT’s step-father.

4. Of Osborn & Sons.

5. Inwood, near Lacock, Wiltshire.

6. Gundrey & Co.