6 Camden Terrace
Kentish Town
15 Novr 1843
Sir,
I delayed answering your note of the 24th ult <1> in the hope that I might be enabled to send you some better specimens of Calotype portraits than those I first sent you – the weather here is most unfavorable but I enclose three which were taken the last few days – My Camera I am aware is bad but that difficulty can be remedied if I should be enabled to practise the art – I should prefer having a license to practise in London if you have not come to an arrangement with the party with whom you were in treaty or could you not divide the London privilege and not make it exclusive – I should imagine London would supply heads enough to enable half a dozen persons to live by taking them off – Should it however be out of your power to let me remain in London I then should choose Bristol as the most likely place at which I could make the art answer my purpose as I could from persons in Town obtain an introduction to parties residing in Bristol – I am obliged to you for suggesting groups as making good pictures and intend trying as soon as the weather permits – I have several views of which I will send you copies should it not be troubling you to look at them – I am quite unaware of the time usually occupied in taking a portrait never having exchanged a word with anyone acquainted with the art or derived any knowledge upon the subject except from the Edinburgh Review and my own perseverance but I feel confident that at another season of the year I could take a portrait in from 5 to 10 seconds. Your early answer stating the terms upon which you would grant me a licence would oblige
Sir Your Mo: ob. St
Wm Sherlock
[envelope:]
Hy. F. Talbot Esqre.
Laycock Abbey
nr. Chippenham
Wilts
Notes:
1. Letter not located.