TALBOT4138

Thursday Sep^t 10 – /40

My dear Henry

D^r Brabant ¹has just called – & asked for me, as you were not at home – He wished to tell you all about his travels & the brilliant success of your Photographics, especially the Manuscripts which were much appreciated by the German Savans – He ran through a whole list of German names which you will not of course expect me to repeat. – but he promised to make another attempt to see you in a short time, when he will have the opportunity of giving you a more perfect account than I can. – He crossed the water (going out) with M^r Murchison, ² whom he describes as having expressed much pleasure & interest in the subject. – He asked me if you were acquainted with M^r Wilson of Oxford & had sufficient interest to obtain for him the permission to copy some curious Manuscripts in the Oxford Library, which he wants to send to a celebrated Foreign Savant [sic]. – But when I told him you had been a Cambridge man he thought it improbable that you could do what he wanted.

He has left with me three Photogenic Drawings done by a M^r Enslen, ³ to show you the kind of progress that they are making on the continent They are copies of engravings very much in your style & very clear, but only first copies. What a splendid day this is for our Tourists – I confess I almost envy them, especially as they are going to Markeaton. ⁴ – I hope you will see my Sisters ⁵ before you come away – and bring me word how they are. – Suppose you drink tea with them as you did once before.

I bought 2 nice books for the children ⁶ at Bath. – ‘Mamma’s Lessions’ Lessons & some Sunday stories by M^rs Barbauld ⁷ which I think will be very useful – The Lessons are more simple than any I have yet met with & are adorned with very pretty pictures –

Y^r aff^te
Constance