[fragment]
Lacock
Aug 29/52
My dear Sheepshanks
My little narrative is ready, and I will try to send you a fair copy tomorrow
Yours truly
H. F. Talbot
P.S. I am glad to find that Adams <1> is more lazy than I am.
Is it true that a Monster Telescope is being erected on Wandsworth Common? Why should not the Astronoml Socy have one of their own and place it, with a staff of zealous observers in a fine climate near the Equator – I conjecture that a powerful instrument placed towards the summit of the Peak of Teneriffe would produce practical results and discoveries equal to ten such instruments, if erected in the Regents Park.
On Etna, Jupiter’s satillites have been seen by the naked eye – which is readily to be believed because there is one instance of [letter ends here, remainder torn away]
Notes:
1. Probably John Couch Adams (1819–1902) mathematician and astronomer.