Sir J Herschel
Athenæum Club <1>
26 Oct 47
Dear Sir
The “Rose of England” is indeed a very ingenious device for the new Planet, <2> since it was not a very easy problem to symbolise British astronomical skill. I am glad you liked the photography. I always endeavour if I can to do what you recommend, place the instrument on a level with the central part of the object, or the first or second story of the building. It is however a pity that artists should object to the convergence of vertical parallel lines since it is founded in nature and only violates the Conventional rules of Art
Believe me yours very truly
H. F. Talbot
Notes:
1. Athenaeum Club, Pall Mall, London: WHFT’s club; a gentleman’s club composed primarily of artists and scientists.
2. The 'minor planets' were small objects that regularly orbited the sun, such as asteroids. On 18 October 1847, John Russell Hind in London discovered the 8th such object observed (there are now thousands); Sir John Herschel named it Flora, whose symbol in ancient times was the Rose of England, saying "Flora will attract all eyes and fill all imaginations with sweet and graceful images."