TALBOT3971

Lacock Abbey, Chippenham
Nov^r 15. 1839

Dear Sir

In a letter received from M. Biot today¹ he sends you a message, which I will transcribe.

Veuillez exprimer à Sir J. Herschel mes remerciemens pour une lettre qu’il m’a écrite et dans laquelle il avait inclus quelques épreuves de ses expériences photogéniques – Cette lettre en contenait une de Lady Herschel à ma femme et le tout fut remis ici en notre absence, de sorte que nous ne l’avons trouvé qu’à notre retour. Nous sommes allés aussitot à la demeure des personnes qui avaient bien voulez nous apporter ce bon souvenir et qui étaient des amis de Sir John ainsi que de Lady Herschel; mais par malheur elles avaient quitté Paris, pour retourner en Angleterre. De sorte que nous n’avons pas pu leur exprimer l’empressement que nous aurions voulu leur temoigner. Veuillez bien donner ces explications à Sir John, quand vous aurez l’occasion de le voir, car je l’aime et je l’estime trop pour qu’il puisse douter du plaisir que j’aurais eu ainsi que ma femme à nous mettre en relation avec ses amis. ²

I have continued at intervals my photographic experiments. I took advantage of the bright full moon in September to try the effect of the lunar rays upon my paper, ³ and I obtained a distinct impression in 10 minutes, by help of a condensing lens, altho’ the rays passed through 2 plates of glass besides the lens itself. The same paper is sensitive to lamplight. I think this paper, or some modification of it, will prove very useful for the Camera Obscura. I have made some pretty good camera pictures lately, which make good transfers & therefore a great number of Copies may be obtained of each. Considering the feebleness of the sunshine in November I think I may fairly reckon upon a decuple effect in June. The French government have sent a person lately from Brest to the Coast of Africa well supplied with Daguerotype, to bring home views of the African scenery. This will be very interesting to behold! Have you made any pictures by Daguerre’s method? I have not yet done so, but have procured his apparatus complete ⁴ from Paris. M^r Lubbock has been very successful in his attempts. ⁵

One specimen of the art which I purchased from M^r Cooper of the Polytechnic Institution ⁶ presents two circumstances of which I should be glad to know the explanation.

(1) The outlines are in the opinion of everybody, sharper than in nature, in the case of buildings seen projected against the sky.

(2) There is an appearance of irradiation, or a luminous edge, as if the moon were behind the buildings. I would also observe that the relative illumination of the objects differs from nature, object really twice as luminous, appearing four times so. The sky, which is always the most luminous part of my photographic pictures on paper, is not so in the Daguerotype. It is much less luminous than the image of a sheet of white paper stuck against a wall; altho’ the brightness of the latter is the mere reflected brightness of the sky.

Some time ago, in September, I found out a way of fixing a picture on silver plate, which gives normal lights, i.e. lights for lights & shades for shades. I think it is very pretty, & is different in effect than Daguerre’s. The image of a piece of lace done so, is so perfect that when examined by a lens, it still remains doubtful to the eye weather it is not the real object. ⁷

Believe me to remain Dear Sir Yours most truly
H. F. Talbot

One of the most singular photographic experiments is the following: A is a prepared paper, not sensitive to light. B. photographic paper of the usual kind. C. a kind of oil, not sensitive. If A is washed over with C, it becomes highly sensitive; but if B is so washed, its sensitivity is nearly destroyed.

Sir J. Herschel Bar^t
Slough