Lacock,
Chippenham.
March 4th 1866
My dear Mr Talbot,
I want to know if you will consent to my opening the arch way from the Talbot chapel into the church; my reasons are as follows 1st I am obliged for the increase in the school to make some of the children sit in the Chapel and it is difficult to keep them in the proper order, as the master cannot see them, but would be able to do so if the arch were open: another reason is that it harbours the cold air and prevents the church being thoroughly warmed, quite a cold draught comes through the door way, when the heating apparatus is lighted. Another reason is <ill. del.> that it would so much improve the appearance of the church –
Another request I have to make is that I may have a few trees cut down that spoil the view from my house, they will no in any way by being cut down in any way spoil any other view, and being good timber trees will pay for removal. My house is getting on very well, & if the frosts are over will make rapid progress now – We had a tremendous frost on Friday night, my registering thermometer <ran?> down to 8. My mother has been laid up in London with a bad cold; she had intended returning to Merthyrmaer before this. <Iltyd?> has got the command of the Dædalus, training ship at Bristol.
Yours <t>ly
Edward P. Nicholl