SD1078. Hope Masterton Waddell to Samuel Moulton-Barrett (brother)
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 362 (in part).
Cornwall
25 Nov. 1839.
Sir
The consideration which your answer to my former letter required, together with the multiplicity of my other engagements during the past week, prevented me answering it sooner.
To Some of the terms which you propose for giving me a new lease of this place I can have no objections[.] These are the reserving to the estate the timber & the right of picking pimento in the pasture, both which it has always retained. I would add also the leaving the house at the expiration of the lease in the Same State in which I receive it, were it not that it is in a very insecure state, and without considerable repairs will not I fear hold together three years. If the house be put into repair & made Secure in the first place I shall agree to the Clause, having no other objection to it than that stated.
To the other terms I cannot accede. The rent you require is too great; for though the outward appearance of the premises might Seem to warrant your naming So large a Sum, two circumstances require it should be much reduced. The house when I came to it was little more than half its present size, and in addition to the wood which the estate furnished I have spent several hundred pounds on enlarging it & building two of the outhouses. The rent therefore should be proportioned to what the house was when I got it from the estate.
I have already mentioned that the house is not in a safe condition. It frequently fills me with Serious apprehensions for the consequences if even a slight storm should arise. During the present winds it shakes greatly. It is equally your interest & mine to have it immediately & thoroughly repaired. If you will have it put into good order I shall offer a rent of Sixty pounds per annum currency for it & the pasture on a lease of three years; and I expect that when you weigh the reasons already mentioned you will esteem thi<s> a full & fair offer.
The terms of the old lease have not been in the slightest degree infringed. The piaza that was removed was replaced by a large addition to the house eighteen feet wide, all new from bottom to top. Any examination of the house on that ground is therefore quite unnecessary; however I have no objections to your making it, provided you come in a friendly manner. Indeed I should wish you to be convinced by a personal inspection that the building cannot be safely left any longer in its present condition. Have the goodness to let me know what day you design to call that I may stay at home to meet you.
Whether we may come to an arrangement or not I wish to get the pasture cleaned that I have heretofore occupied, and I only wait til another be pointed out where I can in the mean time keep my horses. I hope that you will have to goodness to le me h<ave> another place for that purpose.
I remain Sir
your obedt <servt>
H.M. <Waddell>
To
S. M. Barrett Esqr
Cinn Hill.
Address, on integral page: For / S. M. Barrett Esqr / Cinnamon Hill.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
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