My dear Henry
Many thanks for your Literary Gazette <1> – I am glad you shewed me the little drawings when I was at Lacock because I comprehend all the descriptions much better than I otherwise should have done.<2> I am glad M Daguer <3> roused you to life – you have too much Strangways blood in you to determine to anything till the last moment – I see it in other branches of the family to say nothing of personal observation on myself & daily lament the consequent loss of time & opportunity – every one seems struck with the marvellous of your discovery & Kit <4> as much as any one. I hope I shall soon hear of Mrs Talbot <5> being on the recovering list – Mary <6> joins love to you &c &
believe me your afft Aunt
Mary Lucy Cole
Swansea Feby nine CRM Talbot
W.H.F. Talbot Esqr
44 Queen Anne Street
London
Notes:
1. WHFT, letter of 30 January, published as 'The New Art', The Literary Gazette and Journal of Belles Lettres, Science and Art, no. 1150 2 February 1839, p. 73 - see Doc. No: 03782.
2. This disclosure is of particular interest, for the last time Aunt Mary was known to have visited Lacock was in October, 1838, prior to WHFT's public announcement of photography (see Doc. No: 03737). This was right when WHFT was beginning to write up his experiments for presentation to the Royal Society, something he did on 31 January 1839.
3. Louis Jacques Mandé Daguerre (1787–1851), French artist, showman & inventor. He had just announced in Paris his invention of the Daguerreotype, a photographic process which proved to be completely unlike WHFT's photogenic drawing. However, WHFT did not know the difference at the time, and rushed to publish the details of his years-old invention, previously kept to himself.
4. Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot (1803–1890), immensely wealthy landowner, mathematician & politician; WHFT’s Welsh cousin.
5. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
6. Mary Thereza Talbot (1795–1861), WHFT’s cousin.
7. Penllergaer, Glamorgan, 5 mi E of Loughor: home of the Llewelyn family.
8. Llanely, or Lanely, Glamorganshire: home of Lady Mary Cole and Mary Thereza Talbot.
9. Charlotte Louisa 'Charry' Traherne, née Talbot (1800–1880), WHFT’s cousin.
10. Margam Park, Glamorgan: home of Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot.