To George Sleigh   [before 26 September 1879]¹

Sir—

I have heard through Sir J. Hooker from M^r. Smith of Kew, that you want a gardeners place & that my place might suit you.² I have a small hot-house & greenhouse (which I use partly for experimental purposes) & w^d. like to build an orchard House.³ You w^d also have to attend to the far grounds & gardens K. Gns when asked   I sh^d keep 2 men in the gardens who w^d be under your direction, one of whom w^d have also to look after the cows. & pigs.⁴ If you thought that my place w^d. then suit you, you could come down here & make more particular enquiries, & I sh^d be able to judge whether you would suit me, & before write to L^d Walsingham, for your character.⁵ But in the first place, I sh^d want to hear what wages you would expect,—bearing in mind that you w^d have to find a cottage in the village about $\frac{1}{4}$ of a mile distant. I sh^d wish to hear whether you are a married man—& have a family

I am | Yours faithfully | C. D.