Rectory, Wing.
near Uppingham,
Wednesday Evg April 28.
Dear Talbot
Immediately upon receiving your letter <1> yesterday, I wrote to close with the Rector of the other parish <2> I had in view - But my letter must have crossed one from him; as by the mornings post I hear that he has accepted, on Monday, the proposal of another clergyman. I am thus deprived of both, by Mr Paleys <3> silence, which, as there was never a doubt in his mind, seems inexcusable.
I leave this curacy at the end of July: and if I do not, before that time, hear of another cure that suites me, I shall be an idle man for some time - but that is will be contrary to my wishes.
Should you hear of anything elsewhere, or should accident make a vacancy in the cure of Lacock and Mr Paley be then willing to name me as his representation, a line addressed to me here will be forwarded, after I have left Wing.
I do not know whether my Rector has met with a successor to me; and I should have no objection to ask him for the curacy for Mr Rogers, <4> if he would exchange it, in July. The stipend is £80 per annum: a small house, two sitting rooms, & seven bedrooms, some of them very small - population 300, very well packed in a village: and one sermon, prayers twice on a Sunday
The neighbourhood is good, soil dry, water & climate unexceptional; and excellent hunting - But I should not trouble you further upon this subject: I am exceedingly obliged by the friendly manner in which you have done your possible to forward my wishes.
Believe me, Dear Talbot, very truly yours
Charles Porter
Henry Fox Talbot Esqre
31 Sackville Street
London
Notes:
1. Letter not located.
2. See Doc. No: 01981 and Doc. No: 01984.
3. Rev James Paley (1790-1863), Vicar at Lacock.
4. Robert Rogers, Curate at Lacock.