Morton Hall, [Morton on the Hill, Norfolk]
April 13/[18]82
Dear Dyer*1
Thanks for your two letters & enclosures.
Lessells'*2 action is a pure piece of Mischief-making, -- I never expected or wished to see Fergusson's*3 plan of the Vestibule; what I did & do blame Lessells for is, his authorizing the contractors to proceed with it without informing me. I never directly or indirectly alluded to Fergusson or used his name in the matter. It is most annoying that we should be subjected to such a man's insolence.
I am now writing to F[ergusson]. about

the steps & access to the Verandah, which will I am sure prove a nuisance. -- there will be attractions enough inside the building; & at any rate I think we should wait & see how we can manage the inside before attracting people to the outside, as a lounge.
Lessells promised me that nothing should be done about the water untill[sic] the papers were submitted to me, & expressed himself hotly against giving any water at all. As you say, the Treasury has made a complete mess of the whole affair.

We have had a pleasant day at Barton, always an interesting house, & here -- a fine old place, representing the accumulated property of various heiresses. My host*4, a man of great intelligence has been initiating me into the mysteries of drain pipes, cess-pools & the like: he is a liberal conservative & enlightened man amongst a neighbourhood sunk in Torydom of the deepest dye. The Agricultural interest here is "burst up"[?] -- The "families" have, almost to a man, left let their homes to the millionaires of trade & are in hiding, or retirement. -- The effect will be, a partial return when the seasons may come that will bless their furrows, but in many cases are

abandonment of the land, & the funding the proceeds of it's[sic] sale.
I hope that you have good news of Harriet. We return tomorrow by the afternoon train from Norwich.
Ever aff[ectionatel]y y[our]s | Jos. D. Hooker[signature]