TALBOT4333

Lacock Abbey, Chippenham
14 Sept. 1841

Sir,

When I was at Falmouth lately, M^r Hunt ¹ put your letter into my hands. Your failure may perhaps arise from some of the following causes: not using enough of acetic acid, which should have a pungent odour: using a sponge instead of a brush: using impure iodide of potassium. M^r Hunt assures me that this substance is often sold so far from genuine as to contain ⅔ of its weight of carbonate of potash. Many gentlemen have difficulties, but I have not found it possible to ascertain the cause by letter. All these difficulties disappear by a little practice.

M^r Hunt informed me that he succeeded upon the first trial, from my printed description only. I have the pleasure to enclose a few specimens as requested & am sir

Your most obed^t servt
W.H.F. Talbot

P.S. I also enclose a specimen of good iodised paper, if you like to try it.

J.W. Gutch Esq
Somerset Place
Stoke
Devonport
36 Portland Place ²
London