Sir/
I was in town a few days ago and spoke to Mr Hennemann [sic] about a friend of mine here who has lately been making some attempts in Photography and succeeding so well as to induce him to think of making a business of it and applying to you for a License [sic] for the use of your Patent in Reading His friends have heard that a trial is pending and advises him to wait – In the mean time however he wishes me to ask you to kindly favor me with your terms for a License for this neighbourhood
Knowing the benevolence of your disposition I may just perhaps say that he is just the young man you will be pleased to assist – as in the first place there is no doubt of his turning out pictures that will not disgrace your beautiful discovery and in the next place he has lost all his property (between 2 & 3,000£) by being deceived in a partnership (a Paper Mills) into which he entered – since which he has been engaged professionally in mounting Microscopic Objects but obliged to give it up now on account of his Eyes suffering – He finds Photography just suits him – You may take my word that he is an honorable respectable man and would desire to make a satisfactory arrangement, with you
I am Sir Yours faithfully
George Lovejoy
Reading
May 9/54
[envelope:]
H. Talbot Esq
[illegible address struck out]
Piccadilly
London
[illegible note struck out]
Laycock Abbey
Chippenham