Killyleagh Co Down
10th Feby 1857.
Dear Sir,
You will, I hope, excuse the liberty I take in addressing you on the present subject.
Since I wrote to you last, I have had enquiries made of me from a very unexpected quarter, to which I have replied; and I think it likely that the result will be that I shall have the option of taking a parish between Cambridge and London (nearer the former) in lieu of Killyleagh. Of the parish I know nothing as yet, save that the population is small, & the income less than what I now have. How much less, I cannot yet say; but suppose fm 100 to 150 pounds a year. I should, in place of assuming the questions put to me respecting Killyleagh, have at once declined the exchange, had not a consideration occurred to my mind which I will mention to you.
I have long felt that it is discreditable to the English Universities that there is not in either of them any professor of the newly discovered ancient oriental languages; and that the establishment of such a professorship would greatly redound to the honor of either Oxford or Cambridge. At present, I presume, there is no one in either of these universities qualified for it; but were the arrangement above suggest mentioned to take effect, I should hope that this objection would be considered to be removed on my becoming a member of one of the Colleges there. I should hope too, that the knowledge of what I have already done, under the most disadvantageous circumstances that can well be imagined, would inspire confidence as to what I could do, if placed in a more favourable position. I should look forward to the complete systematization of Assyrian grammar (in which I have already made considerable progress) which would not fail to throw light on the Hebrew and other oriental languages.
It is not likely that I should hold the professorship very many years. Indeed, in the course of nature, I could not do so. But, at present, I feel perfectly able, as well as willing to work; & I should hope to continue so until I had trained up a successor, to take my place when my working time is ended; to whom I might communicate all that I know on these subjects. There is a vast deal that can only be communicated vivâ voce; and there is much, that, if circumstances do not change, after having been acquired by me with much toil, will die with me.
I know nothing of Cambridge, and have no friends there; but it occurred to me, that, as you spoke of having acquaintance with some of the Museum Trustees, you might have some at Cambridge, with whom your good word would have weight
The establishment of such a professorship is one of those things for which I cannot help thinking that (especially under the new Act) “where there is a will, there is a way”; though what that way would be I am quite ignorant. I hope I should not be found unreasonable in my expectations. All I should ask would be compensation for the sacrifice I should make by the exchange; which, having a family, I could not afford.
The letter which I received was marked “private and confidential” Even if the offer which I anticipate were actually made to me, it would not be right to make the circumstance public, until I had determined to accept it; as it might be unpleasant to the person who made it, who would be likely to be guessed at. It occurs to me, however, that, if your views on the subject of the propriety of having such a professorship as I have mentioned agree with what I have expressed, you might sound any Cambridge friend that you may choose to consult, on the feasibility of its being established, on the supposition that I could be brought over to England. You might mention that I have had the offer of a Somerstshire living (which I declined, but have every reason to think it is still open to me) & that I expect one “nearer London and Cambridge” to be offered to me.
If there were a reasonable prospect of such an arrangement being carried out, I would, if offered the living, go over to Cambridge on my way to look at the parish, and to would then consult any one that might take the matter up. Much might be settled in a short conversation that would require a number of letters to discuss.
Believe me to remain Dear Sir Yours vy Faithfully
Edw. Hincks
H. Fox Talbot Esqr
[envelope:]
H. Fox Talbot Esqre
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
(England)