Lincoln’s Inn <1>
12 May 1859
My dear Sir
An abstract of the purchase deed of Nash Hill Farm <2> (assuming no subsequent deeds deal with it) will be quite sufficient as to this Estate and so of the other property – There will be but a small expense in this.
But the Scotch settlemt <3> is a much more serious affair & altho’ the expense of this as well as of the other will fall upon the intended husband, <4> Yet I have from a sense of what is due to both the contracting Parties, proposed to Messrs Gibson (the firm of which Mr John Gibson Jr is the senior Partner) such a course of proceeding as will obviate the necessity of double charges – their answer to which is not yet come.
I will look at Your own Lady’s <5> settlement and let You know if any difference to what I have stated or rather suggested, occurs.
I mentioned an appointment by Yourself and Mr G. to correct any inequality which the intended settlement will cause in each daughter’s share – but there is time to consider of this hereafter.
I fear that the gain of an Election by one Vote is hardly a triumph – the inducement to petition being so much the greater – however Your bro in law <6> is on the right side of the hedge which is like "the bird in hand."
believe me to remain Ever your’s faithfully
J. H. Bolton
Wm H Fox Talbot Esq.
Notes:
1. One of the four Inns of Court, the ‘colleges’ of barristers at the English Bar. Bolton had his chambers [lawyer’s offices and, at the time, living-quarters also] there.
2. A farm on the Lacock estate, about a mile northeast of the Abbey. Talbot seems to have considered mortaging it to raise money.
3. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3rd daughter’s marriage settlement. There were difficulties regarding the allocation of expenses [see Doc. No: 07886].
4. John Gilchrist-Clark (1830–1881), Scottish JP; WHFT’s son-in-law.
5. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
6. William Mundy (1801-1877), politician, WHFT’s brother-in-law, who returned to Parliament with the narrowest possible majority – see Doc. No: 07874 and Doc. No: 07876. The general election of May 1859 brought in the Whigs.