TALBOT2814

Laycock abbey
18^th Feb^ry

My Dear Henry

It was M^r Feilding’s ¹ intention to have written you to day, but he is too unwell & advised to stay in bed all to day, as getting up did not improve him yesterday. He wanted to tell you a thing which he fears will annoy you as it has him, tho’ it will not be attended with so much expence as he at first feared. In constructing the truss beam which passes from one wall to the other wall in the South Gallery the work has been so negligently performed that it has sunk, the plaister has cracked in several places, it does not appear to get worse, tho’ something should be done to prevent its going further He Consulted with Gale, with Banks ² & with an Iron Master at Trowbridge and they all separately agree in opinion that a cast iron rib with two supports will be the cheapest & most secure, & will restore the beam to its original place. The cost will be at the outside twelve £ – the impending evil is not so immiment [sic] but that it may remain as it is till you have seen it. He was reluctant to torment you with these annoyances immediately on your return home & since that has been too ill to think of it

What a good thing you missed the House in Parliament Street, only think, to have been hampered with it all this time!

Henry Fox Talbot Esq^r M.P
31. Sackville Street
London