Dr Birch
Lacock Abbey Chippenham
Feb. 22. 1877
Dear Sir
In Records of the Past <1> vol. 8 p. 8, you say (note 7) Katem is supposed to be gold. Allow me to point out that it has that meaning in Hebrew, viz. <םתכ?> Aurum which we may read either Katem or Ketem. This appears to me to be an additional instance of Semitic influence in early times, to be added to Markabat “a chariot” and other words which the Egyptians borrow’d from the Syrians in the time of the 18th Dynasty –
I have received a letter from the Museum signed John Neave and I enclose my answer for your approval, will you have the goodness to deliver it? – Monsr Grivel <2> of Fribourg Switzd wrote me the other day offering to give me the MSS of his late father <3> on the subject of Assyrian decipherment. In my reply I suggested that he should rather offer them to you for the library of the British Museum where already are the MSS of Hincks and G. Smith – and Norris? <4>
Supposing that a selection from the MSS should merit publication, I could not undertake it from want of the requisite leisure but some one will be found I doubt not capable of the work –
Yours very truly
H. F. Talbot
Notes:
1. Records of the Past being English Translations of the Assyrian and Egyptian Monuments (London: Samuel Bagster & Sons). [See Doc. No: 01506].
2. L Grivel, son of Joseph Grivel, the Assyriologist.
3. Joseph Grivel (1810–1876), Swiss Assyriologist. [See Doc. No: 09573].
4. Rev Edward Hincks (1792–1866), Irish Egyptologist & Orientalist; George Smith (1840–1876), Assyriologist; Dr Edwin Norris (1795–1872), orientalist; Secretary, & Librarian, Royal Asiatic Society.