TALBOT3063

Lacock Abbey
March 16^th

Sir,

The basket of plants & packet of seeds arrived here safe on wednesday last and planted as you have directed – there was a standard purple flowered Laburnum come – which I have planted in the orchard &c the weather still continues very unfavourable for gardening – wet & windy

I have had notice from M^r Shearn, manager of the Asylum, stating that the select Vestry,¹ of last tuesday Considered, that George Heath ( My Lady^s Orphan)^<2> was now able to earn his own living, and that the parish allowance would not be continued beyond saturday March 14^th, I made an agreement with My Lady to Board him for 2^s/6 a week untill her Ladyship returned in order that he might be kept away from his companions in the village as much as possible, & I consider his labour to be worth 4^s/– a week henceforth should he conduct himself properly & likewise that he ought to have food given to him to that amount & please to let me know what I am to do whether you mean to continue him or not, & what wages you would allow him should you continue him please to let My Lady know that the Parish will not allow anything towards his maintenance

M^r Awdry ² has given me a message from you about Puttying the Greenhouse, there is no doubt but I can do it, but inferior to what Fortune could, however the first dry & calm day we have (as it will require both) I shall make a beginning and see what I can do. & should I not be able to manage it I can then employ Fortune &c –

Your Ob^dt Hum^ble Serv^t
C Fitzsimmons