Chippenham ^<1>
10^th. Feb. 1824

Dear Sir –

I wrote to you a few days ago (directing to 17 Sackville S^t) & mentioned that I must trouble you for the keys of the Tower ^<2> – in case the Letter has not been forwarded to you, may I beg you to send for it, as there are several subjects mentioned for your consideration –

I think it would be very desirable to plant Elms in the Abbey Grounds – the expence [sic] would chiefly consist in making good Fences round them for some years – as you have plenty of materials for so doing, I should think Ten Pounds would pay for all the Labour &^c requisite –

It occurs to me, from your observation respecting future Leases, that you have either mistaken the nature of the one w^ch has just expired – it is one (among many others) that were granted by some of your Ancestors for the purpose of raising Money – upon Lives – receiving a Fine at the time of granting the Lease & the Tenant, or his representative, engaging to keep the Premises in repair – in default of which (as in the present instance) I have called upon the Representative of the Lessee to pay you for what they ought to have laid out, during the continuance of the Lease, in repairing – No Lease of this description has been granted for many years past & I trust never will be in your time – The small Map you mention, shall be forwarded with all possible dispatch – but I do not apprehend it could be done with any degree of accuracy, before you leave England this time – much explanation will be necessary while it is about & I am in hopes I may be able to find some one near enough to me, to be able to superintend it & you may depend upon my getting it done as reasonable as possible –

The inscription I proposed to place upon the School was simply as follows – under your Arms –

“Erected by W. H. F. Talbot Esq”

1824

but I have not given any directions yet & shall wait for yours before I do so

I expect to meet M^r Paley ^<3> tomorrow & will mention your present address & request him to write about the School, if he has not already done so –

I am Dear Sir Y^r Oblig^d & Obd^t Ser^t
W. H. Awdry

W. H. F. Talbot Esq
27. Duke Street
S^t James’s
London

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Notes:

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

2. See Doc. No: 01159.

3. Rev James Paley (1790–1863), Vicar at Lacock.