Bridge of Allan N B <1>
22 April 1858
My dear Sir
I was sorry to learn on calling at Atholl Crescent <2> on Monday that you are not likely to return to Scotland this Spring. I left there your Coil apparatus <3> Suitably packed; & I return you many thanks for the use of it. I received my American coil about a Month ago which gives sparks of 8 inches in air with the greatest of ease. But I was able to do no more than just try it; for a severe cold laid me up completely & obliged me to conclude my course <4> by deputy.
I was sorry not to see Mrs Talbot <5> to take leave, as I fear she will have left Edinburgh before we return. But I hope we shall see her back along with you next winter & we shall try the American Coil together, and Mr Gassiot’s <6> Torricellian Vacuum <7> which he has kindly lent me.
Believe me
Yours sincerely
James D Forbes
[envelope:]
Prof. Forbes
W. Fox Talbot Esq
&c &c &c
La y cock Abbey
Chippenham
England
Notes:
1. Near Stirling. ‘NB’ is North Britain, as Scotland was often called in the 19th century.
2. In the West End of Edinburgh. The Talbots rented No 4 in 1855 and again in 1857–1858.
3. The Rühmkorff coil that Talbot had lent to Forbes [see Doc. No: 07494].
4. The course of lectures that Forbes, as professor of natural philosophy, had been giving at the University of Edinburgh.
5. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.
6. John Peter Gassiot (1797–1877), merchant & electro-chemist.
7. The mercury barometer, invented by Evangelista Torricelli (1608–1647). A vacuum exists in the space between the top of the column of mercury and the sealed end of the tube.