1 HILLSIDE CRESCENT

EDINBURGH

Jan^y 17 <added in another hand: 1863>

My dear Sir

Very many thanks indeed for your two fine engravings; of noble size & almost infinite refinement. In either case, an astonishing amount of nature to have put into a metal plate without aid of an engraver.

At first, I was inclined, when both were good, slightly to prefer S^t <Trephinus?> but now I think S^t Maurice the more perfect; for, putting the white sky out of the question, as doubtless the fault of the photograph, – everything seems to have kept its proper tone; the blacks are always full blacks; & the half tints are also well given as half tints whether verging to dark or light.

With many thanks again

I remain

Yours very truly

C. Piazzi Smyth

<at foot of p.1:>

<H.> F. Talbot Esq^re