United University Club
Suffolk St WC
June 19th 1870
My dear Mr Talbot,
I have just had an offer from the chaplain at Naples to exchange and as this is of all things what I should like, before answering him I write to ask you, if, supposing there is nothing objectionable to him, you would consent to this exchange – I have always longed for a chaplaincy on the Mediterranean and now of all places that Naples should turn up, seems almost too delightful to be possibly likely to succeed. You may be quite certain the present Chaplain is a thorough gentleman, and also a moderate churchman, two things which I think quite essential in the Vicar of Lacock. I hope you will approve of this – I cannot but think you ought to be willing to meet me halfway, considering that in coming to Lacock I gave up a better Curacy in point of money, and a most decidedly better Curacy in the eyes of many as to work. I hope you will not compel me to do what will be a very painful thing to me, that is return to Lacock. for however kind my neighbours might be I am sure I should always feel it very much. I think you are under quite a mistaken idea as to the Bishop thinking it at all probable that any one in England would be willing to exchange with Mr Roach, he most decidedly expressed his opinion to me today that it was almost hopeless: besides Mr Roach’s income is after all not so much as it sounds – there being no house, and living notoriously in the West Indies higher than in England.
I returned to home yesterday. My mother still looks for a letter from you to her: as she considers your two last as to me through her.
Yours Truly
Edward P. Nicholl