WCP3232

[1]

33 Long Street.

Devizes.

June 21 [19]05

Dear Sir,

Will you please forgive me the liberty I take in addressing you. But, I thought that it might possibly be of some slight interest to you to learn that the present owners of [4 words illeg.] [2] have read with the keenest possible interest the mention you make of the place in your "Life" & of the account you give of the Worthingtons.

My grandfather bought the place soon after the [3] Worthingon was obliged to sell as a result of his unfortunate lawsuit. The name of Worthington has always been familiar to us as that of a former owner, we could never learn much about the people themselves & the name is now little more than a vague & shadowy tradition [4] any unusual or peculiar feature in the house or on the farm (& there are several such) we have always been in the habit of saying that oh, that must have been old Worthington's doing! From your account we gather that this tradition of eccentric [5] is not altogether devoid of some historical truth.

An old neighbour, a tenant farmer nearly 80 years of age who has spent all his life in the valley still has a slight recollection of the [6] Worthingtons.

He tells us in his broken English that before he came to settle at Gelli Mr Worthington "did buy & sell men" & that he was a slave-dealer. He also tells us that Mr [7] Worthington had several large fish ponds [1 word illeg.] in which he reared fish this various fads seem to have intensified anything but effect to his practical abilities. We shall also feel it a source of addition interest & pride in the place [8] when he remembers your connection with it - slight though it be.

It seems strange to us that this little place, still so pristine & so remote, should have even the most indirect connection with the great [1 word illeg.] of hopes to which you belong. [?]

I am, respectfully yours | Maud Edith Cunnington [signature]