All Saints
Colchester.
Jan. 15.

Dear Sir

M^rs Williams has forwarded to me your note of the 12^th inst., I am very sorry that I should be absent from Ashelworth^<1> this week as I fear it may put you to some inconvenience to defer your intended visit to Ashelworth; it is my intention to return there on Saturday, and hope it will be in your power to pay your intended visit next week.

I understood from M^r Atwood that it had been your wish that your little boy should commence his school career before the return of his future companions, should it be agreeable to you to entrust him to the charge of M^rs Williams and myself we should be very happy to receive him any day next week and would do our best to gain his friendship and to make him feel at home. He would have one companion in L^d Clonbrock's[?] second son who returns to us on the 19^th and as he is most amiable and good-natured, would, I think, render your son's first start not quite so awful a matter for him, as in meeting twelve strange faces -

We are also able to offer you a bed should you wish to accept it.

The rest of our party return the first week in February.

Again regretting that I should put you to inconvenience

I remain, Sir,Yours truly
James. A. Williams.

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

Notes:

1. Gloucester, now known as Ashleworth.