Lacock Abbey, Chippenham
26 April 1843.

Dear Sir

I am very glad to find by your letter that you do not leave England till the end of July, as that will give you plenty of time to learn the Calotype if you like to do so – I shall have great pleasure in instructing you in the Art, which is not at all difficult to practise.^<1> I would propose the end of May for that purpose if it suits you, as I am now going to Paris for 3 weeks, & expect to return by the time I mention. The Calotype pictures are very permanent; you know that pencil drawings are apt to rub, & become defaced in consequence, but the Calotypes are perfectly exempt from this. – The paper may be prepared in the evening by candlelight, for use the following day, so that the operation is rendered very convenient. Suppose that in travelling, you arrive at some ruins unexpectedly, which you wish to have drawn – you set up the Camera open the portfolio, and take out a sheet of paper ready prepared; slip it into the instrument, and take it out again when you think a sufficient time has elapsed, and in ten minutes all is packed up again, and you are proceeding on your journey – The picture need not be looked at till the evening, when you are arrived at your halting place, & have leisure enough to attend to it. You then take it out, and will find it looking quite like blank paper, with no apparent picture on it. You then wash it over with a liquid, and it shortly begins to appear, & grows very strong & distinct. When it seems strong enough you stop further progress by another wash of a fixing liquid, and it is thus rendered permanent – this operation is performed by candlelight.

I remain Yours very truly
H. F. Talbot

C. Fellows Esq
30 Russell Square
London

---

Notes:

1. This was a most unusual offer for the usually taciturn WHFT, but he had high respect for what Fellows sought to accomplish, and obviously hoped to tie the success of his calotype to the success of the expedition.