John Spiller Esq.

Lacock Abbey
May 3. 1874

Dear Sir.

I had supposed that something was amiss in the Photographic Society, from the tenour of the printed Circular which was sent to all the members the other day, but I am very sorry to hear that the dissension has reached such a point as to threaten the dissolution of the Society – ^<1>

I feel very much honoured and flattered that you should think of proposing my name for the office of President, but I feel compelled to decline it from advancing age, which obliges me to cease in a great degree from my former scientific pursuits.

Allow me to ask whether Sir C. Wheatstone ^<2> would not be a most excellent president for the Society if he would accept the office?

His great acquirements in all branches of science would confer lustre on the Society, and perhaps in Your present difficulties he might prove
“the Pilot to weather the storm”.

Believe me to remain Yours very truly
H. Fox Talbot

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Notes:

1. A power struggle over elections emerged, which led to the mass resignation of the President, James Glaisher, the Vice-President John Spiller, and all the members of the Council: "The Resignation of the President and Council," Transactions of the Photographic Society, v. 16 no. 247, 17 February 1874, pp. 25-26. Like most such tempests in a teacup, the strong feelings rapidly dissipated and the Society went back to business as usual. This was not the first time that Talbot had been mooted as a possible President. When the Society was first forming in 1852, he was considered, partially in an effort to nullify the effects of his patents; see Doc. No: 06599

2. Sir Charles Wheatstone (1802–1875), scientist. In 1852, WHFT had suggested to him the possibility of becoming a Vice-President of the newly forming Photographic Society. See Doc. No: 06596