From W. Campbell 20 October 1856

My dear Sir

I am quite ashamed to see how long your letter of the 15 ^th has remained unanswered. But the fault has has not been entirely mine— I have unfortunately not been at home for some time, & my letters from Ipswich have not been forwarded, so that I have not known your wishes for many hours—

It would give me great pleasure if my presence professionally were required at Hitcham and my other engagements permitted. I would make arrangements [illeg.] you at once as you propose on the 4 ^th—but this is a particularly busy time with us—& make up our work before the Christmas exam. ^ns— my time is almost taken up till the 25 ^th of Dec. ^r but if you will write to the secretary & request a visit from H. M. Inspector at his earliest convenience I shall be authorized to lay aside as [illeg.] early as possible for seeing you, or to make it fit in with my inspections in your district—

I have received, altho’ I have not acknowledged, your periodical account of the many doings of Hitcham— I had serious thoughts of risking enactment as one of the little children who were not to be smuggled under the table—but I imagined that such ignominious treatment might lessen my [illeg.] if I visited the parish in a higher capacity. I have seen several of your Papers in the Gardeners’ Chronicle, & can only wish that they may be published in a separate form & circulated fully—I am sure that the more potent your system becomes the more boldly you may exclaim “atere bis niseum.”

Believe me my dear Sir | yours very truly | W. Campbell