TALBOT1157

Abbotsbury, ¹
30^th Jan^ry 1824

My Dear M^r Feilding,

I hope you received my letter from Bowood. ² – I saw Awdry who gave me a good account of Laycock; I drove through it in my way to Melksham, ³ & was sorry to see six fine elms blown down – The wall seemed to have sustained a terrible smash – the view from the top of Bowden hill ⁴ struck me very much – I was rather disappointed in the Avon, but I have no doubt that in summer it is a very rural stream – The Abbey I think a fine old pile, the front next the road is unfortunately much the plainest and defaced with modern windows irregularly placed – I am not sure whether M^r G’s ⁵ lease has 4 or 5 years to run – I don’t think I shall be inclined to renew it any more, but that I should like to talk with you about, and the time is long yet. M^r G. has built a keeper’s lodge in Inwood ⁶ which Awdry says is full of game, pheasant particularly, & as it is 50 acres I suppose it may furnish no contemptible sport, as I hope you will find some of these days – Wick Wood here that I daresay you know well, is only 47 acres. I have been shooting here 3 days, had plenty of sport but cannot touch a feather – I mean to buy a detonator as the flint locks ⁷ always miss fire at the fairest shots – I go to Moreton ⁸ tomorrow (Saturday) to Melbury ⁹ on Monday, & to Town on Wednesday or Thursday – I have not been at Abbotsbury since the hard winter of 1813–14. This winter is one of the mildest ever known. –

Awdry want me to sell a copse called Cloves Wood, ¹⁰ because it is very far off, out of my manor, just cut down, & therefore he says will bring in nothing for the next 10 years but he says he can sell it for £600 being I think about 17 acres –

Yours aff^tly
H. Talbot

Monsieur
Monsieur Feilding
Gentilhomme Anglais

Gênes
Italie