Carissima Madre, <1>
I forgot to put you in mind to observe the eclipse of the Moon last Monday night. Car. & Hor. <2> would have liked to see it, tho’ it would have been rather late for them, not beginning till past 11. The night was fine for it here, and I saw it extremely well. With Mr Feilding’s <3> large Telescope, and only two glasses instead of five the distinctness was exquisite, & the light so brilliant that I was able to perceive the faintness produced on the moon’s limb by the penumbra, for more than a quarter of an hour before the eclipse began, and after it ended.
It is ludicrous to see how many people here are making or getting made for themselves Calleidoscopes [sic], as they are pompously denominated. From the profoundest mathematician to his unlettered Jip, all are eager for them. When I have more leisure, I will make one upon better principles, which shall be so contrived, that the Star may be changed to one with more or fewer points, at pleasure, by only setting an Index. This is very easy. And I will make another, which instead of exhibiting stars shall produce straight patterns like the borders for paper: which I flatter myself will be found of more practical use than the other in supplying with designs of genuine novelty, the paper hanger, to whom nature has too sparingly given the powers of invention. Tell Car. & Hor. that if they look sharp they may see the eclipse of the sun on Tuesday morning the fifth of May: – There will not be another for more than two years.
It will begin at six o’clock in the morning: and end ¼ before 8 – The sun will appear therefore most eclipsed about 10 minutes before 7. To see it they should use a bit of glass smoaked on one side: and an opera glass – having first drawn out the opera glass till any distant object appears distinct through it, then look with it at the Sun, holding the smoaked glass before the Eye, and the eclipse will be very conspicuous: for I myself have seen two large spots in the Sun, with a common opera glass.
I remain Yr Affte Son
W. H. F. Talbot
[Cam]bridge <4>
April 23d 1818.
St George’s day.
I received the books very safe: and hope my red morocco book may be found.
The Lady Elisth Feilding
31 Sackville St
London
Notes:
1. Dearest Mother.
2. Caroline Augusta Edgcumbe, née Feilding, Lady Mt Edgcumbe (1808–1881); WHFT’s half-sister, and Henrietta Horatia Maria Gaisford, née Feilding (1810–1851), WHFT’s half-sister.
3. Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (1780–1837), Royal Navy; WHFT’s step-father.
4. Written off the edge of page.