W. Crookes Esq
Millburn tower <1>
Edinburgh
July 24 – 62
Dr Sir
I have seen in various publications some slight notices of your having discovered by means of spectrum analysis a new metal called Thallium thus verifying a prophecy I made in 1826 (Brewsters Philosophical Journal vol. V p. 81) As I am not in the way of seeing the scientific journals here, I should be glad if you would inform me where a more detailed account of your discovery has been published? and if you have any separate copies printed of any paper I should be very glad of one. I suppose the name Thallium is derived from [Greek text] on account of the green ray.
I remain Yours very Truly
H. F. Talbot
Notes:
1. Millburn Tower, Gogar, just west of Edinburgh; the Talbot family made it their northern home from June 1861 to November 1863. It is particularly important because WHFT conducted many of his photoglyphic engraving experiments there. The house had a rich history. Built for Sir Robert Liston (1742-1836), an 1805 design by Benjamin Latrobe for a round building was contemplated but in 1806 a small house was built to the design of William Atkinson (1773-1839), best known for Sir Walter Scott’s Abbotsford. The distinctive Gothic exterior was raised in 1815 and an additional extension built in 1821. Liston had been ambassador to the United States and maintained a warm Anglo-American relationship in the years 1796-1800. His wife, the botanist Henrietta Liston, née Marchant (1751-1828) designed a lavish American garden, sadly largely gone by the time the Talbots rented the house .