[draft]

Brewster

31 May 52

You are doubtless aware of the Stir occasioned in the sc^fic world recent attempt to form a ph^ic Soc^{y <1>} & the subseq^t proceedings �∴ I need not enter into the details of y^m- But as it seems not unlikely that the discussion will soon get into the newspapers, & as you sometimes correspond with the Times ^<2> on the subject of photography, would you object to ask the Editor whether he wishes for any information or documents from me concerning this affair, saying that I am unwilling to intrude but sh^d be happy if desired to furnish him with a correct statement of the whole matter.

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Notes:

1. The Photographic Club had been formed in 1847. In 1851 it was proposed to put the Club on to the more formal footing of a photographical society for the 'disinterested advancement of the Photographic Science'. This raised the question of Talbot's patent, many members feeling that his process should be given to the world. [See H. J. P. Arnold, William Henry Fox Talbot: Pioneer of Photography and Man of Science (London: Hutchinson Benham, 1977), p. 188.] Talbot's relations with the Society never became really happy. It subsequently became the Royal Photographic Society.

2. The Times (London).