Letter – Nicholas Walton to John Walton – 1 May 1741

      Ravensworth Castle. April.24. 1741

To the Revd. Mr John Walton



Sir

      We had the favour of yours of the 28 Ult. relating the Chappell at Dilston, being Converted into a School & Observe your Objections.

      We did not Consent to the Schoolmaster making use of the Chappell as above, provided the Books Sirpless &c were taken Care of & that no damage was done to the Seats or Windows. If we had apprehended it necessary to appraise you of it we wou’d most Surely have done so. You have given us your Reasons for your Objecting to this good Designe; for Surely we Cou’d have no other design & to that we begg leave to reply, that we do not Conceive so great Indecency as you wou’d seem to urge its giving education to Children in a Consecrated place & by Oblig[ing] those boys to Attend  your monthly or quarterly Lecture it wou’d be no Small Encouragement to the Establishing the Protestant Religion in a Roman Cathelick Township. This we only offer as our thoughts & Submitt it to your Judgement. As to the damage which may Arise to the Seats, that we will take Care to prevent when ever it appears to be an Inconvenience ; in the meantime we Shall not think proper to Alter our present Sentiments, or the resolution we have formerly Come to but if upon Enquiry it appears to  us to be any way prejudicial to the Hospital & that the room which you mention above the body of the Chapple is a Convenient one for Teaching a School we will Certainly permitt it a verry Small time in the present way. We are 

      Sir Your most Hble Servts

      Nichos. Walton Hugh Boag