From Sir B. Brodie   30 October 1858

My Dear Sir

I thank you very much for the American lily roots which arrived safe some days ago, & are deposited in the water; as companion to the white lilies, which you were so kind to send me formerly. You said that you would be going to the examinations at the London University; & we hope that you will be able to pay us

a visit when you are in London, with any of your family who is with you. We should be most happy to receive you at any time, except on Friday next when I shall be absent, not probably returning to Broome until the afternoon of Saturday.

I do not quite understand about the church rates. Of course I shall be ready to subscribe my proportion as stated in your printed paper: but this will go very little way indeed to relieve you of your difficulty. On the other hand it is difficult for me to know how to do more, as if my I pay what my tenant refuses to pay, other landlords would complain of my setting a bad example. The last thing would be, if that could be managed, that landlords should agree in granting every new lease to take the church rates on themselves, adding the amount to the rent. But I have many fears that if the questions were discussed by the proprietors all should come across the old proverb tot homines &c

Always Dear Sir | yours faithfully |B C Brodie