Chippenham <1>
30th Nov. 1829
Dear Sir,
I wrote to you on the 23d & directed to Newcastle – relative to the letting of Inlands <2> and other matters – wch I hope has been forwarded to you at York. – In reply to your question about the Sheriff’s fund, I understand the subscription is 3 guineas per annum, Mr Salmon is the Treasurer – The fund provides £100 – for a subscriber who may be nominated for the office – & I suppose this Sum was considered a good part of the expence in former times – but it is certainly not so now, which I happen to know, in consequence of my Brother having been Sheriff a few years ago – I think he told me that it cost him £450 exclusive of the Sheriffs fund – & he was particularly fortunate in having neither Election nor County Meeting during the year – wch would have increased the expence –
I am Dear Sir
Yr Obliged Hble Sert
W.H. Awdry
The Indian Plant has blown – it is a yellow flower with black spots & it turns to a sort of fruit, wch I fear will not ripen in this country – McPhail <3> thinks it will continue to blow till Xmas –W.H.F. Talbot Esq
Post Office
York
Notes:
1. Chippenham, Wiltshire: largest town near Lacock, 3 miles N.
2. Inlands Farm, near Lacock Abbey. [See Doc. No: 01898].
3. John Mcphail, Lacock Abbey gardener.