Nettlecombe, Taunton
26 May
My Dear Talbot –
On my arrival here yesterday I found your two letters of the 18th & 21st mentioning your intention to give me some specimens of your new & important invention of photographic engraving which I should very much like to see – & for which I am very much obliged to you – If they can be sent by post or railway they might be addressed as above, as we shall be here for the next eight or ten days. –
Your photographic discoveries are daily becoming more & more important; the first time I have heard of any dealers complain of the art affecting their trade, has been from Rome, where those who sold to visitors indifferent drawings or engravings of the buildings & monuments there, complain that they are now superseded by the photographers – a very satisfactory result I think. –
I have not been as fortunate as you with the Spartium monospermum, I had a plant of it about ten feet high, just coming into flower, when it was cut to the ground by the frost. –
I will send you a root of Anemone palmata in a few days, for I think you said you have it not. –
Your Glycine must indeed be splendid – I am glad to see it making its way rapidly in this part of England, for it is very ornamental. –
Do you collect British Ferns? I can send you one or two curious varieties of Scolopendrium vulgare I have found in this neighborhood. –
Ever yours very truly
W. C. Trevelyan
[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esqre
Lacock Abby [sic]
Chippenham