Dear M^r Talbot,

I am delighted to learn that you are to be in Edinburgh ^<1> for some time.

It will give me great pleasure to become acquainted with your Son. ^<2>

I regretted to find that M^rs Gilchrist Clark ^<3> had left Edin^r when I call upon her.

I would have answered your Note sooner, but I expected to have done it personally, on the 24^th, when I intended to be in Edin^r – I had indeed got to Galashiels ^<4> 4 miles from this, but was driven back by the intensity of the cold.

I have not seen the Phosphoroscope ^<5> of Becquerel but if it requires Sun to exhibit it, I am afraid we must adjourn to some other planet.

I am, Dear M^r Talbot, Ever Most Truly yrs
D Brewster

Allerly Melrose
Dec^r 27^th 1860

P.S. I hope to be in Edin^r on the 29^th, and at Duncliffe Murrayfield near Edin^r.

[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esq
11 Moray Place
Edin^r

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Notes:

1. At 11 Moray Place. See Doc. No: 08269.

2. Charles Henry Talbot (1842–1916), antiquary & WHFT’s only son.

3. Matilda Caroline Gilchrist-Clark, ‘Tilly’, née Talbot (1839–1927), WHFT’s 3^rd daughter.

4. A town about four miles northwest of Melrose on the Edinburgh road, in the former county of Selkirkshire.

5. A device invented by Alexandre Edmond Becquerel (1820–1891) for the measurement of phosphorescence.