Dear Marshall

I see no reason why I sh^d pay nearly 60£ more than is necessary to M^r Laslett,—more especially as M^r. Deards will probably do the work quicker & perhaps better—, so will you please agree with M^r Deards & inform M^r. L. that his estimate is too high.— I sh^d take it as an especial favour if you w^d. ask M^r Laslett what he (& perhaps M^r Lewis) have had to pay for calculating their estimates, as I sh^d. particularly wish to pay the amount.² If M^r. L. informed you of the amount, I sh^d. not be overcharged, & you could forward the statement to me, & I w^d. pay M^r. Laslett.

You spoke once of an entrance to the gutter on new roof through a trap-door & sort of dormer-door. If such a door had some glass-panes in it, it would light the space under the roof, & if the central portion was roughly covered with unplained boards, it w^d. make a capital store room for useless lumber, of which we stand in much need. A step-ladder might be hinged to trap-door & hoisted up to ceiling: I do not think this w^d cost much & w^d be worth doing.

What Horace³ said about partition is not worth doing.

Our hall will I fear be very dark, & I can see only one way to improve it,—about which I w^d. consult you whenever you may come here: it w^d. be a quite separate little job.—viz enlarging window in present Hall.—

I fear this whole work will hardly be worth your superintending & has already cost you much trouble;; but every man, I suppose, has a poor beginning in his work, & I am very much obliged to you for undertaking it.—

Please remember to put down a memorandum that the open space in the outside walls to be quite shut off from all connexion, either inside or outside, with the air.

Believe me | Yours very sincerely | Ch. Darwin