TALBOT5750

Malta
16^th Oct 1846

Altho' only this morning arrived from Sicily I cannot allow the steamer, going today to Southampton, to depart without expressing to you my dear Sir the infinite gratitude I feel for the very kind offer of befriending my poor boy - But unfortunately he is too young in the Navy to benefit by it at present - & being still aboard the Hibernica I much fear that I shall not be able to accept this invitation of the Bishop of Jerusalem ¹ to accompany him, for he goes to his See next week - Lady Parker ² still thinks the Admiral may be in - but report says that the fleet is watching some political movements in Spain, & will not leave the coast at present

Thank you too for the hints you give me about fixing the possitive copies - but do oblige me by telling me the exact proportions & proceedings therin - for I am trying an infinity of ways, & can succeed in none as the hyposulph. ³ invariably lightens, or puts them out, & discolours them - I find Coopers ⁴ plan of clorate potiss.[sic] stands best - & Cundell's ⁵ next - but then the effect is nothing like so good, or the whites so clear, as in yours -

I select three or four to enclose as specimens - Having no bromine ⁶ to fix them I did it by hyposulp. - Will you tell me whether they are sufficiently fixed to take possitives from? I find a difficulty in getting out the yellow - even by letting them be ¼ hour in the boiling solution - should it be kept up at the boiling point, by a lamp?

It will not do to send more in this way by letter - but I have now 100 I believe - & will make a parcel by some cheaper conveyance to you - but it would oblige me greatly if you would tell me, or direct your agent ⁷ to tell me, whether these be not cooked ⁸ too long in Camera - or too much brought out. - Unless one can succeed in trying them by a possitive copy, there is no knowing this - & I go on in the dark. Indeed it seems that this point of fixing the possitive copies, & taking them with such a preparation as will give, & stand, the best prints, is the chief desideratum of an art which is very imperfect till that be obtained. - Perhaps you will do me the favor to send me a few copies of these. - & to send one to my good Mother, M^rs Bridges, Box. - Any thing will best reach me here through my Brother, John Bridges Es^r Warnford Court, Throgmorton Street London - who will pay your Agent all expences. -

I still hope to get into Syria & Egypt this winter - though my ardour in your beautiful art cools very much by my unsuccess in finishing the process - I could not hope to do it so well as yourself, & should always take advantage of the liberty you give me, of sending the negatives home to you to be copied - but as I generally take duplicates, & have many which possess only local interest, such as sketches of friends, & familiar places, it is a sad drawback not being able to finish this

I have every apology to make for this repeatedly trespassing on you - but your goodness encourages me still. Pray permit my kindest regards to M^rs Talbot ⁹ & to your lovely children, & believe me my dear Sir.

truly & gratf^ly Yours
Geo W Bridges

I am much hurried to get this on board in time. Pray then excuse me.