TALBOT2878

Chippenham ¹

6^th May 1834

Dear Sir/

I send you the Plan & Elevation (& the estimate in another Cover) of the addition to the new Workhouse – I understand there will not be any blank Windows, but I should think that this addition to the Building will be rather an improvement from your Garden – in comparison with its present appearance & especially if you cover it with Ivy & other Creepers.

I hope to send you the Account of Tythe payable from your Land, in a few days – I presume you mean Vicarial Tythe – as all the rectorial is your own – in fee ² –

I do not apprehend the consequences which you allude to, respecting the proportion between Rent & Tythe – The Poors <sic> Rate cannot, in any case, affect the Value of Tythe – except to the Receiver of the Tythe, who is charged with the Rate, after it is received – & I conclude that the Commissioners under the new Bill ³, must estimate the Land to be with reference to the Value of it, for Produce – or it would be impossible that they would make an equitable award – as the Rent may be, from a variety of causes, much too high or too low – I should imagine therefore, that the Commissioners must have a discretionary power to estimate, according to local Circumstances – Perhaps you could let me see one of the Bills when they are printed –

I have not heard the subject of Sir A. Agnew’s ⁴ bill much discussed in this Neighbourhood – probably from the circumstance that the influential part of the Community generally set their faces against any flagrant profanation of the Sabbath & we therefore do not feel so much the want of a new Law, as Persons near the Metropolis – The number of the Minority makes one imagine, that a more reasonable Bill upon the subject, than the last, will be brought in, on a future occasion –

I am Dear Sir
Y^r obliged Ser^t

W. H. Awdry

W. H. F. Talbot Esq^r M.P.
31 Sackville Street
Piccadilly
London