Rectory, Wing
Near Uppingham
Tuesday. April 20th.
Dear Talbot
Excuse my troubling you again respecting the curacy of Lacock; <1> but I am thus situated; a friend, Rector of a parish in Hertfordshire, has offered me his curacy for a twelvemonth, from the present time. The terms &c are agreeable to him and to me – but I should prefer a more permanent situation, and should also prefer a residence where I might have the benefit and pleasure of intercourse with an old Friend. In short, for these and other reasons I should prefer the cure you proposed, than to that in Herts. Yet, as I do not concern it certain that your Rector would accept my services, I am not willing to refuse the other curacy – Will you favour me with a line at you earliest convenience for I have already kept my friend in suspense for some weeks?
I should it think an easy matter for Mr Paley, <2> at once to say whether he wants a curate after the engagement he has already entered into is completed – whether he would accept me as his next curate: what salary, in addition to the furnished hou<se> <3> or unfurnished house, he would <give> and whether he proposes to license me, or how I am to be recognised by the Bishop of the Diocese or the clergyman to whom the care of the parish is entrusted?
These questions are for Mr Paley’s consideration; but I should be obliged to you to say whether he is likely to take me for his curate – I must give an answer this week, respecting the Hertfordshire curacy.
Believe me Dear Talbot
Very sincerely yours
Charles Porter
W. H. Fox Talbot Esqre
31. Sackville St
London
April 20.
To be forwarded
immediately
Notes:
1. See Doc. No: 01981.
2. Rev James Paley (1790–1863), Vicar at Lacock.
3. Text torn away under seal.