Heytesbury House

Oct.5 1825

My dear William,

    I had scarcely closed my last letters to Lisbon when Lord Beresford arrived express from Southend – having travelled night & day to see his God son …….. .  He was in dreadful agitatance when he arrived, having made up his mind either that the boy was gone, or that he had had sufficient strength to throw off his disorder.  He did not dare ask which was the case – would not even drive to the door, but sent his servant to make enquiries.  The servant delaying to return, he could stand it no longer, but rushed into the house & finding the boy better, burst into tears and was full an hour before he was himself again.  ……. when he arrived, had just awoke for the first time in a gentle perspiration; & from that moment he has been gradually getting better, tho’  it must still be many days before he can leave his bed.  In the mean time Lord Beresford will remain with us, thereby relieving us from much anxious responsibility.  We shall assure him as well as we can & as he makes no difficulties whatever we are really happy to have him here.   I took him to Longleat yesterday; & today he is to shoot some of your old pheasants, if he can get near them.  He talks very freely of all events in Portugal; & gives you abundant credit for all you have done there.

    I have made further enquiries as to Pococks farm & find that my last figures were somewhat incorrect.  Holles tells me that Pocock held –

400 Acres of Arable

405 Brown

25 Water Meadow

20 Pasture

850 - - - - - - - - - - for which he paid 870£ per annum

The present tenant has in addition –

28 acres Hill arable land

45 acres Low arable land

21 acres Water Meadow

94 Acres, for which he pays - 200£

                              Total     £1070

A rent, as I am told, much too high and ruinous to any tenant.

Behaste,

Your affectionate Brother

C: A: à Court