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M^r Crookes

Lacock

Sept 8

D^r Sir

You do not seem to have a right understanding with M^r Brooker – He writes word that he is expecting to receive from me another engraved plate of the Tuileries –

Now, I offerred <sic> Mess^rs Petter & Galpin some time ago to engrave a new plate, but they replied that nearly 3000 impressions had been already taken from the old plate and that not many more would be wanted, as the distribution would be confined to regular subscribers. And you state that you have given notice the plate w^d be published with N^o 2 of the new volume.

I therefore am at a loss what to do – I certainly think I could prepare a much better plate than the present one, which is worn out, but for that I require to have a sufficient time and not to be hurried. The plate might be successfl <sic> on the first attempt. On the other hand it might require several attempts before one proved successfl – a small matter injures the appearance of a plate.

Yours truly

H. F. Talbot

A paragraph from the Times about the Great Eastern, w^d do perfectly, if you get it well photographed – Also a diminished view of the ship from the Illust^d London News with a great many figures of sailors – If you send me any such specimens I will try them and you shall see the result.