[printed notepaper:]
1 Hillside Crescent
Edinburgh

July 11 1863

Dear Sir

Your’s [sic] of yesterday has been of great relief to me, for you seem so exactly to have seen the whole state of the case, & determine so generously & untiringly to adopt the only thorough mode of accomplishing it, viz. a copper plate, & covered with steel, in a city where they understand the process & have confidence in it.

Herewith I beg to send for your inspection (and to be returned if you please as it is the only proof I have), the part of the preface containing a reference to your Plate 5. It is the only sheet in the whole book which has not gone through the printer’s, & into the binder’s hands; & I am keeping it back until the plate be completed, so as to be sure that the description tallies with the thing itself.

I was looking over the proofs from your various editions of Guajara last night, & liked the quality of the early impressions of the copper=plate printed by Banks more than ever; it is so very forcible, and at the same time so full of fine definition, & excellent rich quality of transparent shade, in all the most important part of the view.

& I remain Dear Sir Yours very truly
C. Piazzi Smyth

[envelope:]
W. Henry Fox Talbot Esq
Millburn Tower
Gogar,
Edinburgh
N.B.