TALBOT9354

Michael’s Grove
3^d April, 1866

Dear Sir

I am much obliged to you for your encouraging letter. I am anxious to hear criticism, though I fear I am too old to profit much by it. I am quite sure that the motto I have taken from Michaelar[?] is true. I will ask you to remember that the work was begun many years ago, in the days of ignorance, and that I am quite aware of having left many of the old errors in my haste. If I had been twenty years younger when I began printing, I could have avoided [illegible], but as I have in two years done little more one sixth of the whole, I cannot expect to finish it at 80, even if I should preserve health and faculty so long; the consequence is that I hurry my work, and cannot offend time for much deliberation. I shall however go on doing what I can, and shall leave my M.S. S. for some younger successor.

Yours faithfully
Edwin Norris

H. Fox Talbot Esq
&c &c &c

[envelope:]
H. Fox Talbot Esq
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham