Lacock Abbey, Chippenham
Oct. 14. 1839
Gentlemen
I thank you for your polite attention in sending me a copy of Dr Memes's 1 work - Having been absent from home, I only received your letter on my return, or should have replied to it sooner. As I think it is possible that the 2d edition of Dr M's book is by this time published any notice of Photogenic Drawing would come too late for insertion -2
In the London & Edinburgh Philosophical Magazine for March last,<3> I have inserted the papers which I read on the subject to the Royal Society and which contain the first account of the English method of photogenic drawing - It appears from Daguerre's 3 own account of the matter that he did not invent his present or improved process till 1835 which was the same time that I discovered mine
I do not therefore see how he can claim the priority, unless for his first process, which appears to have been too imperfect to be applied to practical purposes. Should Dr Memes introduce a historical notice of my photogenic drawing, I hope he will weigh the evidence of priority adduced on the part of Messrs Niepce 4 & Daguerre and give us his opinion to what extent it goes
I am Messr. Yours very truly.
H. Fox Talbot.
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