From William Colchester 27 November 1857

My dear Sir,

I cannot refrain from the melancholy task of writing you a few lines of condolence in your present heavy affliction and to assure you of the deep sympathy M. ^rs Colchester and myself feel for you in your bereavement[.] I hope that M. ^rs Henslows sufferings, were not protracted and that you and your family are as well as under this sad trial can be expected.

Since the unfortunate burning down of my residence at Little Oakley I have been obliged to take one of the Dovercourt Terrace Houses where I shall be very glad to see you if you come into this neighbourhood by & bye to examine the borings from M. ^r Bruffs artesian well—as it may tend to divert your mind from sad thoughts I will add the particulars of what appears to me a most irregular fact: after going thro’ 80 feet of London Clay 990 890 of Chalk & Chalk marl —17. feet of green sand & 47 feet of gault they came to a hard slaty rock which I thought was a gault stone but on they went, ten feet, twenty feet, thirty feet, \& forty one feet/ and still the same blue rock which appears to increase in hardness. This is very curious to us altho very very unfortunate for poor M. ^r Bruff— I do wish you could come and see it and if you feel at any time that you would like a little change M. ^rs C & myself will be very pleased to see you—I hope one day you will secure some public acknowledgement for the source of wealth you discovered for the landowners of Suffolk Cambridgeshire, Essex & Herts— I think 20,000 tons at least will be raised this year—perhaps more

M ^rs Colchester unites with me in a unreserved expression of our deep sympathy & with our united regards believe me my dear sir

Yours most faithf ^y | William B Colchester