TALBOT3283

Chippenham ¹
18^h May 1836

Dear Sir/

I have endeavor’d to give the best attention to the Subject of your Letter ² rec^d last night – & fearing lest I might commit some Error on a Matter of so much importance – I have consulted a clerical Friend – on whose good feeling judgement & independence, I could place implicit reliance – & he is of opinion, that in the present state of D^r Nicholas’ ³ health (supposing he is still alive) the next presentation to the Living, could not, with any propriety be sold – & that it could not legally be done after it becomes vacant – The Living should be filled, before the Advowson⁴ is sold – I understand that Six Months is allowed to a Patron, after the death of an Incumbent – before the Presentation would lapse to the Bishop –

I have heard D^r Nicholas mention the value Income of the Living & I believe that £150– is about the Annual Sum – & that any new Incumbent must give the whole Income to a Curate, if he does not reside himself – there is a tolerably good House I believe & D^r N– told me he had insured his Life, for a Sum to cover Delapidations ⁵ –

As a Sale at the present time, would not be practicable, I would not put you to the expence of a Journey to Salisbury, but will take care to apprize you of any Circumstances w^ch may be communicated to me – should it be necessary before you return to Lacock – but, from what I have before said – I do not expect this likely to happen –

I am Dear Sir Y^r obliged Ser^t
W. H. Awdry

W H F Talbot Esq^r
Mount Edgcumbe
Devonport