Chippenham 1
19 Dec. 1861
Dear Sir,
In case you have not seen any thing about the Sarls 2 in your Paper you will be sorry to read the enclosed paragraph which I have cut out of the Standard of Tuesday – I was not much surprised at it because I was aware officially that they could not meet their demands with punctuality – I am afraid it will knock up the proposed new Company at Seend for a time at all Events. I hope it will not seriously affect one considerable Landowner there who was much interested in its success. I am very thankful that my relative has not embarked in it though he has been strongly tempted.
I was at the Abbey yesterday Every thing appears to be going on right there. Your Library is quite dry and fit for papering whenever you like it done. There was a large gathering at the reopening of the Church last Week. I sent Mrs Talbot 3 a local paper with an Account of it but the National Calamity which has since befallen us seems to absorb every other feeling – (together with the terrible uncertainty about our relations with America), it is however a great relief to hear that the Queen bears her sudden bereavement so well – I trust the reaction will not be too great for her – With best regards to Mrs Talbot and all your family
Believe me Yours truly & obliged
West Awdry.
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