TALBOT3700

Lacock

July 3^d 1838

My dear Mother

The taxpaper which you enclosed, shows merely the perverseness of the taxgatherer. M^r Awdry ¹ showed me the receipt, quite regular as usual, from the collector Tho^s Moore ² of Lacock. –

I have written to Aunt Mary ³ to propose ourselves for the 10 of July, but have not had her answer yet. Our further plans are indefinite, except that I wish to be at Newcastle for the week 11^th to 18^th of August.

Pray let Wright ⁴ take the enclosed to Warwick S^t – The railing is 8 feet ½ by 5 feet ½ What height do you propose to give it?

I like the appearance of the wall better than I did; when it comes to be coloured, or shaded with creepers, it will do very well.

Today is exceeding hot, tho’ mostly cloudy – I pity the horses travelling on the roads, it must be acknowledged the locomotives have greatly the advantage of them, for heat is their element, & they go along all the merrier in scorching weather.

Read ⁵ is gone, & John Humphries ⁶ reigneth in his stead – Old John is ill, & it is doubted whether he will recover.

Estcourt ⁷ writes word that we are to consider his grounds of Bowden Park ⁸ as our own –

I am very glad Horatia ⁹ was so fortunate in sightseeing – I perceive that everybody made the same pun about Lord Rolle ¹⁰ –

Your aff^te

Henry