TALBOT4218

Lacock Abbey
March 18. 1841

Dear Sir

Your letter ¹ reached me this morning, after mine to you was departed. ² I have no doubt that substances exist more sensitive to light than that which I now use; indeed it is reasonable to suppose that increased results might be obtained by merely varying the proportions of the chemical mixture, but these experiments take too much time, & must be left for future investigation.

What a pleasant residence Collingwood ³ appears to be; lakes and old oak trees are very much to my taste, and I am now looking out for a country house for the summer, because I find or fancy that the air of this neighborhood is not salubrious, at least for a long time together.

The House agents in London offer so many to one’s notice in every part of England that it is quite l’embarras du choix ⁴ & ends in deciding upon nothing –

I expect in less than a month to be able to publish the process of the Calotype tho’ I don’t yet know whether it can be sent to the R. Society. ⁵ I enclose a few more specimens. I must now really transport my apparatus to some locality where picturesque objects are to be met with, such as a Cathedral, or a seaport Town, for my own neighborhood is not particularly suited to the Artist, and offers no great variety of subjects –

I remain Yours most truly
H. F. Talbot

The portrait was done in the shade in 3 minutes. The footman opening the carriage door ⁶ is also a good likeness, done in 3 minutes sunshine. The Elm tree ⁷ in 1 minute, camera 15 inches focal length, diam^r of object glass 1 inch.