Letter – John Bell to Diana Beaumont – 12 May 1799

      Hexham Abbey 12th. May 1799

Madam

      The Masons are beginning to take the Slates from off the East Side of the Quadrangle here in order to have the great Room and the other Rooms on that Side repaired and Mr. Johnson and Smith desire to have your Direction whether you will have the North End of that Side kept as proposed in the Drawing sent or let it be made a common upright Gable as at present- Be pleased to return the Drawing with your Determination as soon as you can

      We have bad Weather here – the Corn cannot be got sown the Land is so wet and Grain is rising in Price every Market Day

      In going to the Pays we rode through Drifts of Snow upwards of four feet in Thickness – 

      I am Madam Your Faithful and obedt. Servt.

		J Bell