13 G^t Stuart S^t
Nov 29^th

My dear Papa

You will have heard from Momi of our safe arrival in Edinburgh after a pleasant visit at Markeaton – and the house is so bright and warm and comfortable that we quite wish you were here to enjoy it also –

Mama has [illegible deletion] been today to Sinclair’s to order frames for the Engravings – and he has taken charge of them all and will forward them to the Exhibition – he says they are quite in time. – Speaking of your engravings – we met a gentleman at Markeaton by name M^r Mitchell, a good Photographer who takes a very great interest in your process – and I want to Know if you cannot send him a few good ones that he may have Some idea of the art, for I had nothing with me to produce excepting the small stereoscopic slides – one of them he admired on account of its Semi-tones, but he does not like the black and white ones however sharp when the delicate gradations of tone are lost. he also would be very grateful I am sure for some explanation of the Process –

His address which I got from Aunt Harriot is James Mitchell Esq – Woodhouse Mansfield Nottinghamshire, but if you cannot send any immediately as they leave home this winter they would be quite safe I suppose if directed to his father in law’s Sir Henry Wilmot Chaddesden Derby to be forwarded – You understand that I did not promise you would send any, not Knowing if you had any to spare just now – but Aunt Harriot is very anxious that he should have some.

Do you Know Callicarpa Purpurca? it has bunches of the most lovely purple berries but I hear that the flower is insignificant – Noel got it in a ballot from the horticultural Society and if you have never seen it I can Copy a rough Sketch which I made in my drawing book to give you an idea –

I thought Emily very lively and pleasing person and she seems to suit them all so well – she gave us her cart de visite – so when you come you we will show you what she is like!

I had a short letter this morning from Charles who continues to write in good Spirits – he says he has not heard any thing from you lately.

Good bye dear Papa
Y^r affec^te daughter Ela

I hope by this time that you will be quite well again – and that my letter will catch you at Lacock if you are still thinking of going to London – but I am rather afraid it may not as I did not write by the early post….

[envelope]
H F Talbot Esq^re
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wilts