The Vicarage
Lacock
Sept 25. 1854

My dear Sir. /

I hope you will excuse the liberty I am now taking, in writing to you. Having heard rumours at different times of your coming home, which I am sorry are not yet realized, I have been rather waiting until your return – rather than writing

The object of my writing now is to ask you – if you would object to some of the Boys in the National School, sitting on a Sunday in the Chancel. The reason for my asking is – because the boys & girls are so numerous, that the Gallery in which they sit is utterly inadequate to hold them. They are so crowded together that, the result is they behave very improperly & noisily – to the disturbance of persons who have seats below the Gallery – Now if we could thin the ranks & bring some of the Boys away they would do very well.

I mean, that they should sit on Benches in the Chancel – placed in, simply for the Sunday Service – And if – on your return – you should find that the Boys in any way inconvenienced you, they should be removed at once. back. I do not know your feelings upon the subject – nor indeed would I have asked you r now, but all other open spaces in the Church are already occupied – The Aisles as it is, being filled by the Union House & other Children.

I am hoping to begin on a small Scale this winter “A Reading Room” for the Middling Classes, if a sufficient sum can be raised amongst themselves to carry it through a year – except with a little help from Honorary Members. Such a Society ought as much as possible – I think – to be self supporting –

“A Parochial Lending Library” I have already begun, & seems to be working well.

Apologizing for the liberty I have taken in thus troubling you
Believe me, dear Sir, Very faithfully Yours
Arthur Blomfield

W H F Talbot Esq

[envelope:]
W. H. F. Talbot Esq
Greta Bank
Keswick
Cumberland-