TALBOT4002

F. O. ¹
26 Jan^y 40 –

Dear Henry

What a wind! I hope it is not damaging Lacock.² Ask Horatia ³ what I am to do with a packet for M^lle Amelina ⁴ Popwood hall which Caroline ⁵ sent me the day after franking had ceased ⁶ & which I have kept ever since.

There was a good show at Hort Soc ⁷ today – beautiful orchidiæ – & heaths.

Have you done much in Photogeny this winter we had some bright days – I almost wish for snow, I think a clear day after snow, would produce you some pretty effects.

Baron Neumann ⁸ asked me for a specimen of your Art for P^ce Metternich ⁹ who is very curious to know something of it – Could you send me anything worth presenting to the Austrian Machiavel as the papers call him – I have nothing left of the specimens you gave me but inferior ones.

I suppose Mary ¹⁰ is with you I want to know if Jane ¹¹ comes to town now. I have a Cone for her from Armenia. ¹²

I have received from Persia a fine Babylonian cylinder with cuneiform characters.¹³

Y^r a^ff
W F S

Tell me if this comes free