TALBOT8721

[headed notepaper:]
Royal Observatory, Edinburgh

June 27 1863

Dear Sir,

Your obliging offer to re-engrave the Guajara,¹ if the present plate wears out, has much relieved me: for though M^r. Banks² will not say when (after how many copies) it is likely to be effête, yet he seems very positive that the whole number required can by no means be expected.

He has now lettered the plate, & furnished a proof wherein the mountain comes out even better than in your own proof: and he is to put paper in to soak on Monday, & begin to print on Tuesday. The tint printing is also decided on; and if it really makes the plate look better, as he says, it should look very well indeed, and will be a great thing for poor old Gaujara,

I remain dear sir yours very truly
C. Piazzi Smyth

H. Fox Talbot Esq^r

[envelope, flap imprinted "Royal Observatory Edinburgh":]
H. Fox Talbot Esq^r FRS.
Millburn Tower
Hermiston
near Edinburgh.