TALBOT6971

Lower Mall
Hammersmith ¹
May 22^d 1854

My dear Sir

I thought I might meet you at Lord Rosse’s ² on Saturday evening. I have some difficulties with regard to the affidavit ³ you have sent me. Though I am acquainted with the processes you have invented generally I do not sufficiently bear in mind what you have claimed in your patent and what you had previously given to the public, and I have no copy of the specification to refer to in order to satisfy myself in this respect.

It might be inferred, from the words of the affidavit,⁴ that I intended to attribute to you generally the rendering a surface sensitive to light by preparing it with a solution of nitrate of silver, and the development of an invisible image; whereas these processes are common to the Daguerrotype. It appears to me that your substantial claims are, 1^st the developing an invisible image of a negative picture for the purpose afterwards of producing and multiplying positive pictures, and 2^d the specific employment of gallic acid to effect this purpose.

I am very much engaged and at present and very little in town. I shall be at the Atheneum ⁵ on Thursday between 4 and 5 o’clock, and if you will let me previously know will meet you there at any earlier hour on that day. I have spoken to D^r Miller ⁶ of King’s College, who thoroughly understands the subject, and he has no objection to give you his assistance in any subsequent proceedings.

Yours very truly
C. Wheatstone.