TALBOT52

Lacock

Thursday 29^th January

My Dear Charles

I was sorry to hear of your bad cold caught at football – I hope “staying out” did you good. Write soon and let us know if it is better. We have tonight a very sharp frost – all our tender plants will be killed – This has been I think the most variable winter I ever remember –

Your idea of placing a small bit of lime between the charcoal points, might answer for a little while, but soon the lime would get displaced, and besides there is hardly room for it, the charcoal points being near together. A small thread of lime held in a spirit lamp gives a wonderful light considering how small it is and that it does not waste away, but I could never make it practically useful –

The coloured films on steel which are called Nobili’s films ¹ from the name of their inventor, might perhaps be made on Dutch foil, ² but I never tried it. They answer very well upon Platina foil, ³ but that is too expensive to be used – If made upon a cheap foil of a white colour, they might be ornamentally employed – Nothing is easier than to make them with a good galvanic battery & the colours last more than 20 years –

Send us a billbook as soon as ready –

Your aff^te

Papa

Envelope:

Mr Charles Talbot
The Grove
Harrow
Middlesex