TALBOT7049

Lincoln’s Inn ¹
24^th Oct 1854

My dear Sir,

I hope this will find you safely returned to Lacock and your family.

The time is now come for active preparation for the coming struggle ² and I am now in the midst of the papers.

There is one great want that presses on me at this moment [–?] it is the Report of y^r Lecture ³ at the Royal Society ⁴ on the 11^th Feb^y 1839 and indeed the Report of any o^r Lectures or publications of your’s prior to the first Patent ⁵ – The first Report is to be found it seems, in the printed book of the Royal Socy’s proceedings – and if you have it in no other shape, I shall be partic^ly obliged by your dispatching me the Vol^e at the earliest moment.

When enquiring at Sir Fred^k Thesiger’s ⁶ I learn that he has named Monday or about that day for his 1^st appearance in the Temple ⁷ –

I have not been able to ascertain the name of the leading Counsel in opposition to us – but Carpmael ⁸ is of opinion that it will certainly not be the Att^y Gen^{l 9} he having no “chemical affinities” –

Until Sir Fred^k arrives no idea can be formed of what he will require to finish his photographical education: but it seems to me that without reference to him whenever it will suit y^r convenience to come to Town, we could turn your presence here to great acco^t I mean with reference to the witnesses & the taking down their evidence.

Believe me to remain My dear Sir Ever Your’s faithfully
J. H. Bolton

I have no direct news from the Crimea subsequent to the 30^th Ult^o my Gunner is was in death up to his neck in the trenches, & could not scribble.¹⁰