S. Birch Esq
[lion crest]
Lacock Abbey Chippenham
Dec. 20. 1869
My Dear Sir
It was with very great regret that I heard of the death of Mr Coxe <1>
I fear it was that unfortunate Journey to India which was the original cause of his illness. He is a great loss to Oriental literature and to the British Museum, and I valued him as a personal friend.
I shall have great pleasure, when the time comes, in recommending Mr Smith to the Trustees as his successor – He has already done much for cuneiform literature – for which he appears to have a special aptitude.
Believe me Yours very Truly
H. F. Talbot
Notes:
1. William H. Coxe died on 18 December 1869 after an illness of 3 years; son of Rev. H. O. Coxe, Bodley's Librarian; Asst. to Birch at the British Museum and, briefly, Prof of Sanskrit at Kings College, London.