TALBOT4438

14. Bedfort Square. London¹

the 28^th
February 1842

Sir

Excuse the liberty which as a Stranger I have taken in addressing you and more especially as a foreighn [sic] who has been but a very short time in this Country.

My friend and fellow Country man M^r E. Melly of Geneva, who has for several years occupied himself in the Study of Physic [sic] and Chemistry & has lately taken a lively interest in the beautiful discovery you have made in the Calotype paper, has attempted to prepare the paper himself according to the directions which you have published ² but his success in the preparation is not so perfect as he would wish and he therefore fears that he has not used the same kind of paper. I therefore hope that on the part of my friend, you will not consider I am asking too much of you, as you have already made the ingredients public, to give me the name of the paper & the person of whom I can purchase it in London.

If you will reply to me I shall esteem it a favour conferred on M^r Melly & myself and it will confirm the opinion we have always entertained of the liberality of Englishman [sic] in all matters of Science.

I have the honor to be Sir your very obedient servant
Jules Labarthe

W. H. F. Talbot Esqr.