Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
April 28
My Dear Sir
I have sent Mr Cooper <1> a paper, which I understand will be read at the next meeting, entitled Commentary on the Deluge Tablet. <2>
The great importance of the Chaldæan account of the Deluge, renders it desirable that every part of it should be carefully examined, it abounds in new words, and new phrases, so that some parts of it are very difficult and other parts are much defaced and broken.
I agree with Mr Smith <3> in his version of all the important parts respecting the Ark and the Deluge &c &c
Where I differ from him is Chiefly in the subsequent portion of the story which has no real importance relating to the illness & cure of the hero <Izdahar?>. This the Chaldæan scribe has mixed up with his account of the Deluge in a way which cannot be considered judicious.
May I ask if the new volume of inscriptions of the B. Museum has been published yet? I remember that you said it was hoped for before the end of last year.
Believe me
Yours vy truly
H. F. Talbot
Dr BirchB. Musm
Notes:
1. William Ricketts Cooper (1843–1878) Secretary, Society of Biblical Archaeology, London.
2. WHFT, Commentary on the Deluge Tablet, together with a second tablet in the British Museum relating apparently to the Deluge (London: Harrison & Sons, 1875). [See Doc. No: 04681].
3. George Smith (1840–1876), Assyriologist.