Dear Talbot
I am really very much obliged by your kind offer of allowing me to have your photogenic drawings at my parties <1> which I shall most gladly accept
I was not aware of your being in London or I should have sent you cards but I hope whenever you come up to London and find my house open you will always consider yourself as an invited guest.
Is Mrs Fox Talbot <2> with you if so I hope I may have the pleasure of seeing her also –
As I find Lady Elizabeth Fielding <3> [sic] returns next week I enclose a card –
Ever sincerely Yours
C Babbage
30 Janry 1840
Notes:
1. WHFT showed specimens of photogenic drawing on the evening of 1 February 1840 at Babbage’s home. Sir David Wilkie (1785–1841), Scottish artist, and Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey (1781–1841), sculptor, were among those present. See WHFT,s account of this evening in Doc. No: 04015. Lady Elisabeth Feilding was a close friend of Babbage and also acted as a conduit for fresh productions. In her diary of 19 March 1841, she recorded: "Deposited Henry,s Photographs at Mr Babbage,s."
2. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
3. Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.