Beningbrough Hall
Dec:r 13th 1804
Sir,
Not knowing but curiosity and Laycock might allure you here, I deferr’d answering your favour of the 11th till past one o’clock this day------- I am just come from questioning John Kendall reflecting the {stacke} bars which Laycock --- charges him with having made for Wharram; John is ready to take xxxxxxxx an oath, that he has not made a single {stack-bar} for Wharram, nor furnished him with wood for that purpose ------ What wood Wharram had, was used in erecting and fitting up his stables and other buildings-----
As to Masefield, I gave him one crooked oak, which was sawed into {^four} posts about eight feet high each, in order to repair his threshing machine ----- I shou’d not know the man, were I to find him in my dish -------
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Old Laycock is a notorious Highwayman, having stopped Mrs Earle and me several times this year on the King’s Highway, one day demanding posts & {raits/rails}, another time a barn floor, a third time a favour of some kind or other ------ He must have a face of brass, or lost his memory, to tax me with shewing more indulgence to his neighbours than to him ------ Can he look upon the barn Et ce; at the {Warren} house, and the repair of his dairy, as nothing? ---- Besides, he {sunk} upon you four new gates, now standing in my – carpenter’s yard, which have been finished for him several days ------- as to {raits}, I have none to spare to him or any other person – If upon inspection, you find the two ash trees such as he describes, and fit for his purpose, you may stop his mouth with them, shou’d they appear to you large enough to answer that end --- I have long been persuaded, that there exists a system of collusion between all Tenants and the Master Carpenter; and as between Men
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and women kissing goes by favour, so timber is lavished with more profusion on such Tenants as grease his hands the oftenest and the most effectually ---------
I am returned to my old shoes again; though from certain symptoms I am sensible gout is yet an inmate of my constitution, and ready to re-appear on the slightest cold or the least irregularity --------- {Cundack} & Co were out all day yesterday ------ they saw four or five Woodcocks, which were so wild there was no approaching them --------

[?The] greatest part of next week and the following one, my fate is to be oppressed with female wits; and on the second of Jan:ry we are under an engagement to go to ------ Wykeham Abbey, where, it is Ten to one but I am laid up for a month ------ Though I have the greatest regard and respect for Mr & Mrs Langley, and a horror of a Gaol {^Gaol}, I would prefer a residence on ouzebridge [NB Ouse Bridge contained the gaol] to an absence so far from home, at this time of year, and with my infirmities real and imaginary ----- But wives rule of roost in
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Other families, as well as in mine, and the {?easiest} way is to stand to our collar, and not to kick against the pricks ----- Mrs Earle’s best regards with mine attend you & your family, with our warmest wishes for a merry Christmas, and that your years may be long & happy ----- I am, Sir
much & sincerely yours --- G. Earle

Beningbrough Hall
December 13th 1804
Sir,
Not knowing but curiosity and Laycock might allure you here, I deferred answering your favour of the 11th till past one o’clock this day------- I am just come from questioning John Kendall reflecting the {stacke} bars which Laycock --- charges him with having made for Wharram; John is ready to take xxxxxxxx an oath, that he has not made a single {stack-bar} for Wharram, nor furnished him with wood for that purpose ------ What wood Wharram had, was used in erecting and fitting up his stables and other buildings-----
As to Masefield, I gave him one crooked oak, which was sawed into {^four} posts about eight feet high each, in order to repair his threshing machine ----- I shou’d not know the man, were I to find him in my dish -------
[new page]
Old Laycock is a notorious Highwayman, having stopped Mrs Earle and me several times this year on the King’s Highway, one day demanding posts & {raits/rails}, another time a barn floor, a third time a favour of some kind or other ------ He must have a face of brass, or lost his memory, to tax me with shewing more indulgence to his neighbours than to him ------ Can he look upon the barn Etc; at the {Warren} house, and the repair of his dairy, as nothing? ---- Besides, he {sunk} upon you four new gates, now standing in my – carpenter’s yard, which have been finished for him several days ------- as to {raits}, I have none to spare to him or any other person – If upon inspection, you find the two ash trees such as he describes, and fit for his purpose, you may stop his mouth with them, shou’d they appear to you large enough to answer that end --- I have long been persuaded, that there exists a system of collusion between all Tenants and the Master Carpenter; and as between Men
[new page]
and women kissing goes by favour, so timber is lavished with more profusion on such Tenants as grease his hands the oftenest and the most effectually ---------
I am returned to my old shoes again; though from certain symptoms I am sensible gout is yet an inmate of my constitution, and ready to re-appear on the slightest cold or the least irregularity --------- {Cundack} & Co were out all day yesterday ------ they saw four or five Woodcocks, which were so wild there was no approaching them --------

[?The] greatest part of next week and the following one, my fate is to be oppressed with female wits; and on the second of January we are under an engagement to go to ------ Wykeham Abbey, where, it is Ten to one but I am laid up for a month ------ Though I have the greatest regard and respect for Mr & Mrs Langley, and a horror of a Gaol {^Gaol}, I would prefer a residence on Ouzebridge [NB Ouse Bridge contained the gaol] to an absence so far from home, at this time of year, and with my infirmities real and imaginary ----- But wives rule of roost in
[new page]
Other families, as well as in mine, and the {?easiest} way is to stand to our collar, and not to kick against the pricks ----- Mrs Earle’s best regards with mine attend you & your family, with our warmest wishes for a merry Christmas, and that your years may be long & happy ----- I am, Sir
much & sincerely yours --- G. Earle