1 Hillside Crescent Edinburgh
Jany 17
My dear Sir,
Very many thanks indeed for your two fine engravings; of noble size & almost infinite refinement. In either case, an astonishing amount of nature to have put into a metal plate without aid of an engraver.
At first, I was inclined, when both were good, slightly to prefer St Trophimus but now I think St Maurice the more perfect; for, putting the white sky out of the question, as doubtless the fault of the photograph, – every thing seems to have kept its proper tone; the blacks are always full blacks; & the half tints are also well given as half tints whether verging to dark or light.
With many thanks again I remain Yours very truly
C. Piazzi Smyth
[envelope:]
J.[sic] F. Talbot Esq
FRS
13 Great Stuart Street.