Profr Phillips
Lacock Abbey
11 Sept /44
Dear Sir
I am favoured with your letter<1> of the 6th inst, respecting a Report on Photography. In my letter to you on that subject last year, I fear I must have expressed myself indistinctly – What I meant to convey was that it would not be in my power to prepare for the Association such a report on the subject as they would probably expect. Beyond the branch which I myself cultivate, I have but little knowledge of the photographic processes which have been devised; and as it would be peculiarly necessary for me to do full justice to the discoveries of others this would require an amount of reading and research on my part to which my time is inadequate. It was therefore my meaning and intention to decline the honorable task proposed to me by the Committee of the Association, and at the same time to express my regret that I could not undertake it with the hopes of accomplishing it satisfactorily.
With my best wishes for the success of your York meeting<2> which I am afraid I cannot attend as I am going to Belgium.
I beg to subscribe myself, Yours most truly,
H. F. Talbot
Notes:
1. Letter not located.
2. The annual meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science.