My Dear Horatia
Mr Arber <1> will value the furniture & make an inventory – His charge is 10£, the same as Mr Higgs charges: He perused the lease in my presence and I have since left it in Mr King’s <2> hands who will have a copy made for Mr Arber’s use.
I find that in the year 1837 the furniture and effects in Town & Country were valued at 3000£ but as it is an object to have them valued as low as possible and as it is probable the value does not exceed 2000£ I suppose a fresh valuation had better be made.
Wright <3> has got the key of the bookcase here, therefore I cannot count the books. I also want to know the value of the plate jewels and wearing apparel. If it is too much trouble to you to have an actual valuation made, the value may be guessed at 2500£ or 500£ less than what it was in the year 1837, inasmuch as there are no carriages now, and all the articles are grown older –
Your affte
Henry
I have seen a darker day in London than this is, but seldom a more wretched one; everybody looks miserable cold and dripping; all the cabs and carts seem driving recklessly against each other, in haste to get to their homes – coachmen and horses like drowned rats, the wind blowing from every quarter.
April is setting in with great severity –
Notes:
1. See Doc. No: 05727.
2. Of William Read King & Son, solicitors, London.
3. James Wright, footman to the Talbots & Constable for Lacock.