D^r Hincks

Lacock 1^st May 1857

D^r Sir

I have made my translation from the lithograph edited by Rawlinson – I am sorry to hear there are errors in it introduced by the lithographer. But whatever they are, I am anxious that for the purpose of this comparison you should adopt Rawlinson’s text, and reserve any amendments of the text for a separate paper, to be communicated to the As^c Soc^y at the same time, or subsequently, as may be most convenient to yourself. Any discrepancies although really arising from variations in the text employed might be attributed by careless observers to uncertainty of interpretation.

Did you formerly communicate to the Trustees a translatⁿ of this inscriptⁿ? Or was it merely a general statement of its purport.

Believe me Yours very truly

H. F. Talbot

I remarked to M^r Norris that more time ought to be allowed but perhaps the end of the present Session of the R. As^c Soc^y is approaching which would preclude it. I take it for granted that neither Oppert nor Rawlⁿ have seen your translⁿ if you made one for the Trustees, or if they have, would mention it, as our object is to secure four independ^t translators – I am more sanguine than you seem to be of a considerable amount of agreem^t.