11 Randolph Cres^t
Tuesday Dec^r 14

My dear Henry

I was just taking up my pen to tell you of a visit I paid to Miss Catherine Sinclair ^<1> this morning – when I was informed by a servant that Charles ^<2> was arrived – and alone in the Drawing room. I hastened down – found him perfectly well and very hungry – as he had arrived at York so late & tired last night that he went to bed without supper – and this morning had scrambled through his breakfast in less than 10 minutes owing to the neglect of the people at the Hotel to call him in time – However he just managed to save the train – and arrived at Edinburgh about ½ past 4 the same as we did. – That is an excellent train from York. – I fed Charles with cold chicken the minute he arrived: and he seems all right & flourishing – He finds rather a sick house here with colds – but all are mending – they say it is a regular epidemic. I have escaped altogether so far, perhaps having come with the remains of a bad cold, preserved me from a fresh one.

Matilda ^<3> & I dined with Lord & Lady Murray ^<4> on Saturday – and on the Thursday previous, we had a pleasant party at M^rs Primrose’s ^<5>. Tomorrow evening M^rs Primrose gives another party, and Lady Murray has a party on Friday – so you see we are beginning our social life in good earnest –

But to return to the original subject of my letter. – Miss Cath. Sinclair tell me that the Edin^h Photographic Society^<6> opens its rooms for the annual Exhibition next Friday Evening – and much interest being already excited by your new Invention of Engraving, ^<7> the Society are most eager to be favored with specimens furnished by yourself – I told her that I w^d write to you on the subject of this request, but that there could be scarcely time before Friday to receive anything from you – She said any communication later would be received by M^r Watson ^<8> – our friend in George Street, who would lay it before the members of the Society – I think they would like to see the engraved steel plate itself as well as the printed impression – ^<9>

Your affectionate
Constance.

[envelope:]
H.F. Talbot Esqre
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wiltshire

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Notes:

1. Catherine Sinclair (1800-1865), Scottish philanthropist and author; assistant to her father, the agrarian reformer Sir John Sinclair (1754-1835).

2. Charles Henry Talbot, 'Tally" (2 Feb 1842 - 26 Dec 1916), antiquary & WHFT's only son.

3. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, née Talbot (25 Feb 1839-1927), 'Tilly', WHFT's 3^rd daughter.

4. Sir John Archibald Murray, Lord Hunderland (1779-1859)and his wife Mary, née Rigby.

5. Hon Bouverie Francis Primrose (1813-1898) and his wife Frederica Sophia, née Anson (1814-1867).

6. The Edinburgh Photographic Society was not founded until 1861 - she must have meant the Photographic Society of Scotland, which met in Edinburgh. Their 3^rd Exhibition opened on 18 December 1858 at Dr Hay's Art Saloon on George St and remained open until 12 February 1859.

7. WHFT's 1858 Photoglyphic Engraving, which produced an intaglio printing plate allowing photographs to be made in permanent printer's ink.

8. Milland Watson, of Willard & Mann, 135 George St, Edinburgh.

9. WHFT sent some examples, but apparently not for the Exhibition - see Doc. No: 07502. On 9 March 1859, Horatio Ross reported to WHFT that the Society had awarded him a Gold Medal - see Doc. No: 07826.