By Ellie Jones, Cathedral Archivist
This poor letter is in terrible condition. It has been badly damaged by long exposure to damp and stone dust. When you consider that it was found during some roof repairs last year – having spent up to 140 years in such inhospitable surroundings – it is hardly surprising.
The letter was written by Edwin Light Luscombe, builder and surveyor, to the firm of Downe & Baker. Downe & Baker were engaged on some plumbing work in June 1883, and Luscombe (aged nearly 60) is not impressed with some of their “boys”, who “do not know how to conduct themselves”. Exactly what they were up to isn’t clear – but Luscombe was decidedly unimpressed. On the back of the letter someone has added, in pencil, a list of the plumbers in the employ of Downe & Baker in June 1883: Callaway, Woodland, Challice, Syms, Wreford, and Winsor. Research suggests that all but Callaway were young men aged between 18 and 21 years old. For all their reported misbehaviour, for the most part they seem to have continued in the plumbing trade for some years after this episode.
The letter reads:
June 2nd 1883
To Messrs Downe & Baker,
Gentlemen
Cou….
been made to … of …
being continually at …
the north side of the Cat[hedral]
over the Chapel which …
are being executed …
not … boys about this …
if they do not know how to conduct
themselves and whoever is
…should be properly …
After – I hope those … are
… completed – This …
…. … to … co… …
… … … … outside …
… … … Gentlemen … …
… … … for … …
… … … … Edwin L. Luscombe