TALBOT5797

Malta –
12^th Dec^r

My dear Sir/

I enclose some negatives with memoranda, which I think your goodness will attend to – I quite despair of the copying process – which is sadly discouraging, after trying so many months in vain. – I trust your science & assiduity will overcome the difficulties which beset it, & render the art so very imperfect. – I very seldom fail in the negatives – but I am inclined to think that when the Sirocco blows here, (of late the prevailing wind) it deranges the whole chemical effect – the copies invariably became spotted – & often the negatives absorb the specks from them. – That wind is a mystery – dry paint becomes sticky – meat putrid – every thing humid & unwholesome – I send a specimen of a good portrait taken during a Sirocco. Pray tell me your opinion of the negatives, as to clearness – & cooking ¹ – 4’ to 4½’ without much sun – sometimes none – when bright 3’. – Is it possible to make one coat of nit. silv. ² effective on the salted paper? such is the direction M^r Jones ³ gave me – but I cannot succeed with it – even at 100 gr to an oz. water. I use 2 coats – 50 gr–1 oz. each. I have not yet received the copies of M^r Jones’ views – nor the iodised paper ⁴ – perhaps my Brother ⁵ is sending them. Will you oblige me by letting your people ⁶ send the copies as I have noted upon them: – also a copy of the waxed one of the Bp. Jerusalem ⁷, to each of the three persons named for the others – & 4 to me – My Brother will forward them from Warnford Court, Throgmorton street, London – or any thing directed to me under cover to M^r Muir ⁸, Malta, will be forwarded every fortnight if sent to M^r Calvert Esq^re9 5 Lyons Inn, Strand.

I cannot help putting in a specimen of a good negative spoiled by the Sirocco, as I conceive – I am going to Gozo next week – but I fear you will cry stop, enough. –

With comp^ts to M^rs Talbot ¹⁰ – & love to your dear children, pray believe me, my dear Sir,

very truly Yours
Geo W. Bridges

I have no doubt M^r Jones views will sell here: but have no idea of the price. – You will have received I trust the a letter ¹¹ I sent by mistake thro’ Jones last week – with a request to have a copy sent to my Sister ¹², of the enclosed sketch of her son. – but these portraits I have done with. – The good Bishop of Jerusalem sails for Syria tomorrow – & particularly wishes that copies may be sent to the persons named – I hope to follow him, when I am more perfect in the art. – & when my sailor boy ¹³ returns from the Tagus. – I have more views on Etna if you wish to have them – Tho’ mainly from the same points as those sent. –