[This draft cover letter heads WHFT's draft of his 20 February 1839 letter to Samuel Hunter Christie,^<1> "An Account of the Processes employed in Photogenic Drawing," which was read before The Royal Society on 21 February 1839. Its text was published in the Literary Gazette, no. 1153, 23 February 1839, pp. 123-124. A précis was also published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society, v. 4 no. 37, 21 February 1839, pp. 124-126. See Doc. No: 03814. The copy WHFT sent to Christie is preserved in the Archive of The Royal Society.]

Dear Sir,

I beg to req^st th^t you will read to the R. S. tom evening the foll^g note in w^ch I have briefly but completely expl^nd the principles of my Ph^c draw^g in compliance w. y^r req^st & t^tof m.oth^r f^ds.

Be

B^g v. sh^t it w n^t mat. interf. w^th any oth bus. of y^e e^vg. I have put it put it into the f^m of a let. to y^slf both as b^g y^e most convent. [illegible deletion] for so sh^t a paper commⁿ & of w^ch this I trust y. w^ll app^ve.

Believe me

to S.H.C. Esq Sec of y^e RS

Dear Sir

[expanded version:]

Dear Sir,

I beg to request that you will read to the Royal Society tomorrow evening the following note in which I have briefly but completely explained the principles of my Photogenic Drawing in compliance with your request and that of many other friends.

Be

Being very short it will not materially interfere with any other business of the evening. I have put it put it into the form of a letter to yourself both as being the most convenient [illegible deletion] for so short a paper communication and of which this I trust you will approve.

Believe me

to Samuel Hunter Christie Esq Secretary of the Royal Society

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Notes:

1. Samuel Hunter Christie (1784-1865), mathematician & Secretary of the Royal Society.