TALBOT5658

Oxford
May 22.
1846

Dear Sir

I cannot help thinking that a photograph on paper such as you can execute would fully satisfy the purpose of my enquiry – suppose only in the case of the moon – and I would still anxiously beg of you at least to try it for me – the more especially as I know no one to whom I can apply for a Daguerrotype [sic] – I have no experience myself or I would merely ask you for some of your most sensitive paper & try myself – but it would be so far more satisfactory to have an impression from your hands that I hope you will not refuse me.

I believe Birt ¹ was never a very thorough Undulationist – but have not read his recent papers –

As to the circular or more correctly “rotatory” polarization I believe that produced by rock crystal is in every respect similar to that by oil of turpentine but both seem to differ in their nature from that found by Faraday ² though producing effects generally of the same kind – but I believe no theory of the latter has been attempted.

Wartman’s ³ discovery which I learn from you for the first time is very important –

Ever my dear Sir Most truly yours
B Powell

P.S. With regard to the subject of Tradition &c to which you allude I have not lost sight of it – an article bearing on the subject has been long in the hands of the Editor of the Edinburgh Review – when it will appear I know not – I have also another bearing somewhat on it in the forthcoming N^o of the Westminster.

[envelope:]
W H. Fox Talbot Esqre
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham