TALBOT9196

Chippenham
23 Feb. 1867

Dear Sir,

On receipt of your letter of the 6^th ins^t I called at the Vicarage but M^r Nicholl ¹ was away for a few days. On his return I had the objectionable Tree removed – it was of little value –

With regard to the subject of your last communication I am much vexed –

Jos^h Croker is an illconditioned man and nothing but his ignorance can be said on his behalf. I have had complaints about him from the Miss Gladstones in consequence of his unnecessarily using their roads in going to Church (under w[illegible] of right) tho’ he might at a very trifling inconvenience take the public way. His tenancy is a Lady day² one and therefore we cannot get rid of him till Lady day 1868 – by giving him notice at Michaelmas next – in the meantime I hope I shall have many opportunities of seeing you and talking the matter over – I will also let him know that you are not satisfied with him as your Tenant – I think it right to add that M^r Merewether ³ did not give me the same reason w^ch he has done to you for giving up your shooting. He told me that as he could not have Lord Lansdowne’s ⁴ Yours would be useless to him – perhaps he mentioned this to you also as an additional reason. if not perhaps you will not allude to it in writing to him – but I think it right to mention it to you – I do not think Nicholas Croker is so objectionable but he has a Son who may be too fond of his Gun in destroying Rabbits which may be kept down by ferrets & traps – I have already spoken to him, on the subject and will do so again.

I remain Yours obliged
West Awdry