TALBOT9255

Chippenham ¹
26 Aug^t 1867

Dear Sir,

I have remitted £150Ì to Mess^rs Coutts ² for your Credit I am sorry to find your family has been suffering from illness since you left England – I believe every thing is going on satisfactorily at Lacock The only piece of domestic news which I am able to communicate is the intended Marriage next month of Sir John Awdrys 3^d Son ³ (the Engineer) with M^r Merewether’s second daughter – Cecil ⁴ – He has been ordered to go with his Regiment to India in October, and M^r Merewether objecting to long Engagements consents to their immediate Marriage. They will certainly be a remarkably handsome Couple – and I believe they are both “as good as they look” I took on myself after my last conversation with you and your son to offer M^r Merewether the shooting of InWood ⁵ with which he was much pleased. Perhaps you have written to him to the same effect: it will afford him a days sport for himself and his friends in the Season occasionally which is just what he wanted, so near home. The weather has become a little cooler the last day or two – but it has been overpowering. I quite agree with you as to the danger to be feared from the so Called Reform Bill. I do not think there is any chance of Sir John Neeld ⁶ again offering himself – and it is of Course very doubtful how [illegible] M^r Golding may be strong enough for the occasion but he is playing his Cards very well here and I am told has acquired a very good position in the House – He is Eminently a practical Man and being content to speak on subjects which he understands commands attention. I hope Calne will not forget its proper allegiance – I suppose M^r Lowe ⁷ will be adopted by the London University. With best regards to all your family I remain

Yours Truly & obliged
West Awdry

H. F. Talbot Esq