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Document number: 03305
Date: 20 Jun 1836
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: CHILDREN John George
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Collection number historic: LA36-39
Last updated: 5th December 2012

British Museum
20th June – 1836

Dear Sir,

I have directed Mr Gyde <1> to send you the proofs of your paper, for correction, as soon as ready – Your Memoir on circular Crystals <2> has been read, and I have no doubt, will be published in the Philosophical Transactions – I have tried a variety of Phosphoric acids, and only once succeeded in obtaining the circular Crystals, & those very minute, but very beautiful. – Pray tell me what precautions are requisite to ensure success – and where you got the Phos Acid, which answered best? If you will give me this information in a post or two you will oblige me – Pritchard <3> has applied your polarizing apparatus to my microscope very nicely – Brewster’s <4> evidence of the novelty of your crystals is very satisfactory

Ever My dear Sir, faithfully Your’s [sic]
John Geo. Children

H. F. Talbot Esqre
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wilts

Notes:

1. Assistant to Richard Taylor (1781–1858), publisher & naturalist.

2. WHFT, ‘Observations on the Optical Phenomena of certain Crystals’, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, v. 127 pt. 1, 1837; paper received 20 April, read 5 May 1836.

3. Andrew Pritchard (1804–1882), London optician.

4. Sir David Brewster (1781–1868), Scottish scientist & journalist.