My dear Henry
I snatch a few minutes out of our 1st Engraving Seánce, <1> wh could not take place till today, to thank you for your letter. I am glad you are negociating for such a good house as Mr Sandford’s <2> – I remember it well, & am not surprised that it should been [sic] a higher rent – He had serious losses in the Western Bank – I shall be at home the very day you receive Dr Moir’s <3> answer, so if their shd be anything more to consult about, there will be no time lost – We have made 2 attempts at Engraving, without success – no image was produced. – and now Rosd <4> and the Llewelyns <5> are trying a third time, & I must join them. Could we have put on the Gelatine too thin! <6> I am inclined to think so. I will reflect on your proposition of inviting them to Lacock – but do nothing hastily – till I see how they succeed. I believe they are going very shortly to their little place by the Seaside for Mr Llewelyn’s health.
Mary Talbot, <7> your Cousin from Margam <8> & his 2 daughters <9> came yesterday – The weather is glorious –
Your affte
Constance
Penllergare
Wednesday
Notes:
1. They were experimenting with WHFT's new Photoglyphic Engraving process, one that produced a photographically exposed gravure plate, ready for conventional printing in ink.
2. Erskine Douglas Sandford, Edinburgh advocate & landlord. The Talbot family rented a house on Randolph Crescent,Edinburgh, from him.
3. Possibly Dr John? Moir, an Edinburgh physician seen by the Talbot family.
4. Rosamond Constance Talbot (16 Mar 1837 - 7 May 1906), died & buried at San Remo, Italy); 'Monie', artist & WHFT's 2nd daughter.
5. Emma Thomasina Llewelyn, née Talbot (1806-1881), photographer; WHFT's Welsh cousin - she was particularly keen on Photoglyphic Engraving - and her husband, John Dillwyn Llewelyn (1810-1882), Welsh photographer, JP & High Sheriff.
6. A thin even layer of light-sensitive bichromated gelatin was spread onto the metal plate in preparation for the exposure.
7. Mary Thereza Talbot (1795-1861), WHFT's cousin.
8. Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot, 'Kit' (1803-1890), immensely wealthy landowner, mathematician & politician; WHFT's Welsh cousin, Margam Castle, Glamorganshire.
9. He had three daughters: Emily Charlotte (1840-1918); Bertha Isabella (1841-1911), later married John Fletcher (1827-1903), JP; and Olivia (1842-1894).