British Museum
28th September 1876
My dear Sir,
Today there has been a meeting at my official residence to consider the progress of raising a public subscription in aid of the family of the late Mr George Smith <1> in whom I know you took great interest It was proposed by me that with your consent your name should be added to the Committee consisting of Sir H Rawlin <2> myself Mr Vaux, Mr E. Arnold <3> Mr Cates and that the public should be invited to send subscriptions to the Fund to Messers Bosanquet <4> Salt & Co 73. Lombard Street in the first instance in the names of Sir H Rawlinson and myself will you kindly allow [illegible deletion] your name to be placed on the list of the Committee. It is proposed to keep the matter before the public by notices in the press but not to formally advertise till it is seen what action is taken in endeavouring to obtain a pension for Mrs Smith out of the Civil list. The VII Vol of the Records <5> will soon be out.
Believe me Yours very truly
S Birch
Notes:
1. George Smith (1840–1876), Assyriologist. Mrs Smith received a pension of £150,00 a year. [See Doc. No: 02397].
2. He means Sir Henry Creswicke Rawlinson, 1st Baronet (1810–1895), orientalist.
3. William Sandys Wright Vaux (1818–1885), antiquary; Edwin Arnold (1832–1904), editor of the Daily Telegraph.
4. James Watman Bosanquet (1804–1877), banker & author.
5. Records of the Past being English Translations of the Assyrian and Egyptian Monuments (London: Samuel Bagster & Sons).