Brington Rectory Northampton
August 20. 1855

My dear Sir,

You will have understood & excused my delay in writing to you, amidst the disorder & continual movement which have marked the last fortnight. We have at last transferred our goods as well as ourselves to our new home & are something like settled here.

Meanwhile I find you have been kind enough to order the Harrow accounts for last quarter to be paid at my Bankers, & I beg you to accept my acknowledgments & thanks.

I inclose the last monthly report. Neither this, nor your boy’s plan in the trial, are quite what they ought to be. I am convinced that he has not only ability but aptness for classical learning, sufficient to raise him to more than common distinction; and there is none of my pupils, for whom I should more confidently anticipate this. I shall hear of him with great interest at Harrow: & I hope see him from time to time.

What he wants is rigour, & practical self confidence. He is timid, & rather [illegible] done at present I fear with the crowd & bustle of Harrow life. My best wishes for him

Believe me my dear Sir yours vy faithfully
J. N. Simpkinson

[envelope:]
H. Fox Talbot Esq
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham