TALBOT4819

Dear Sir,

M^r Adamson ¹, of whom I have previously written to you, ² goes tomorrow to Edin^r to prosecute, as a Profession, the Calotype. He has made brilliant progress, and done some of the very finest things both in Portrait and Landscape. His Risk & outlay are considerable; & he is therefore anxious to make a good beginning.³

For this purpose he is desirous that you would allow him to state that he practices the art with your concurrence and countenance. His success in Edin^r must add to the value & popularity of the art in England and bring it into more general notice.

You will scarcely believe how little the art is known in Scotland. Here it is so general that several of our Students in Theology and Philosophy are practising it for their amusement.

Davidson ⁴ makes beautiful Cameras, & very cheap, so that nobody grudges the price of them.

My Son Capt. Brewster ⁵ of the 76^th has gone with his Reg^t. to Plymouth; & he has been told that it is not lawful for him to practise the art in England. ⁶ Much as I have studied the Patent Laws I do not know whether or not a Patent prevents an Amateur from using the protected process. I therefore promised to write to you to ask permission for him to Calotype for his amusement.

Believe me to be Ever Most Faithf^y y^rs
D Brewster

S^t Leonards College
S^t Andrews
May 9^th 1843

Henry Fox Talbot Esq^r