[on mourning paper]

Mirehouse Keswick
11 May / 53

Sir /

Miss Spedding begs me to say respecting Greta Bank that she will not reject your offer to take the house for the Summer months only, provided you are satisfied with the accommodation it affords, & with the terms I am to propose.

The Ground floor consists of Entrance Hall, Dining Room, Draw^g Room, & Library, – a small Room near the Hall, & a W.C. Kitchen, Back d^o, 2 Cooks Pantries, Butler’s d^o & Serv^ts Hall & Store rooms. The upper floor of 3 good Bed rooms, & 3 Dressing Rooms with beds in each, & 2 Small Bed Rooms – a 2^d W.C. & 4 Servants Rooms. There are good Cellars, but no Attics.

In the yard are 2 Stables, Harness room, & Coach House.

There is a very good Kitchen Garden, & a Flower Garden (& Greenhouse,) with Fruit walls in both – & walks in the Shrubberies & woods along the River.

The House is furnished with Everything, except Plate & Linen, & has also a considerable collection of Books.

The Rent proposed to be asked for the above per annum is £200 plus the Gardener’s wages w^h are £45. For the Summer months only, £30 per month plus £1 per week to cover the Gardener & his assistant.

If there is nothing in this explanation, or in these terms to put an end to further enquiry on your part, I shall be happy to supply any additional information you may desire, or M^rs Spedding will communicate directly with M^rs Talbot. As to the important point how^r of giving possession, I fear we c^d not venture to promise it before the end of June, on acc^t of the Painters.

The house I may mention is a new one, having been built in 1836, by the late M^r Basevi – & is in all respects in perfect repair.

I am Sir your very obed^t Serv^t
T. S. Spedding

H. F. Talbot Esq
&c &c

[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esq
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham