Reading
31st December 1845
My Dear Mother
I made a night journey to Brighton, and on that occasion your silk hood kept me very warm and comfortable. We had tremendous weather at Worthing, and it still continues without abatement. How it blows tonight! and rains!
If you are at Bowood <1> ask whether Macaulay’s <2> letter was published in breach of confidence, or whether he intended it for publication – He says Lord Grey <3> has done it all!
Nicole <4> has finished a greatly improved copy of the Prince of Wales <5> – I think it is very finely executed.
January 1st 1846
What a splendid day! A frost is coming on, and there is a complete change in the appearance of everything.
The weather at Worthing was not enjoyable on account of the rain which precluded exercise.
The paper C. Jones <6> sent, appears to be a French imitation of Whatman’s <7> English paper, with a fraudulent watermark. I return to Town this evening – Many happy new years
Your affte
Henry
Notes:
1. Bowood House, nr Calne, Wiltshire, 5 mi NE of Lacock: seat of the Marquess of Lansdowne.
2. Thomas Babington Macaulay (1800–1859), MP & historian.
3. Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey (1764–1845), statesman.
4. Nicolaas Henneman (1813–1898), Dutch, active in England; WHFT’s valet, then assistant; photographer.
5. Edward VII (1841–1910), King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British dominions and Emperor of India from 1901. [See Doc. No: 05470].
6. Rev Calvert Richard Jones (1802–1877), Welsh painter & photographer. [See Doc. No: 05496].
7. James Whatmans’ Turkey Mill paper was favoured by watercolourists and was the most suitable paper available for early photography. Rag-based, its wove surface (as opposed to the more common chain-laid) provided a uniform base for prints and a patternless density for negatives. Its gelatin sizing (compared with the rosin sizing used for continental papers) was ideal for photographic chemistry. Being made by hand, there were variations between batches even in this high quality paper, and certain years were sought after. It was generally watermarked with the year of manufacture.