Gerrard St
Septr 30 1854
Sir
You request to know if I can devote a portion of the Autumn and Winter to assist you in the matter of Printing” it seems to me you want my assistance more in the Engraving. This I could not volunteer at present as it would require my operating under your or your under my surveillance, but certainly a fortnights practice in the right road would produce something more likely to gratify you and command the attention of the Public
To the printing I will give all the attention in my power as long as the requirements for that process are kept in view. it [sic] is a difficult matter to teach our mechanics any new system, and when attended with success, they are sure to claim more than they are worth or leave you to begin again with others, to be again left in the lurch
It will be advisable to fix the size of your intended publication at once and necessary to make all future attempts on large and well cleaned plates, in fact new. Your decidedly best production was marred by a foul plate, Hughes & Co must be requested to bevil the edges as it facilitates good and clean proofs
I am always engaged during the whole of November on a Peerage, after that shall be more at leisure and in the mean time happy to suggest or advise
Most Respectfully Yr Obt St
Geo Barclay
H. F. Talbot Esqr