TALBOT1629

Penrice Castle ¹
Dec^r 9^th

My dear Henry

I am very sorry there has [sic] been so many difficulties respecting your getting the Painted Glass² which certainly must be considered your property as I recollect always to have heard that it was left to you to be put up in the Church at Lacock but I should imagine this to be at your discretion, but if you think it would not accord with the Building, I should think my Aunt^{s 3} wishes would be as much fulfilled by your placing it any where in the Abbey you may approve of. I shall await your answer to say whether you would think it worth the expense of putting up anywhere & I will then request M^r Ford (who has so kindly exerted himself in the business) to pay the warehouse rent for me & receive the Package for you.

I believe the Glass as far as I can recollect to be of Small value but perhaps you may have some window among your alterations where it might appear to advantage I was very much obliged by your kind letter & invitation & hope one of these days to see the old Abbey in its improved state. We have been several expeditions in the neig[hbourhood] ⁴ lately especially to two new caves which I believe you have never seen Bacon hole & Minchin hole⁵ between Pwll Du & the Great Tor I believe bones & other curiosities are found in both. All here desire their kind love & believe me

Y^r affect^e Cousin
M A Shakespear

Swansea Dec^br ten 1827 Chris^hr Cole ⁶
H. F. Talbot Esq^re
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wilts
at A. Baring’s Esq^{r 7}
The Grange
Alresford
Hants