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Document number: 5742
Date: 06 May 1848
Dating: 1848? indistinct
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: MURRAY Edward
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Last updated: 1st September 2003

Northolt Rectory

May 6th 1848

My dear Talbot

I think that you very probably, oscillate up & down by the railway, and if your perihelion could be guessed at, we might find when you come to London, and are visible at Athenæum or elsewhere. Teach me how to calculate this intricate problem, with a hope of some satisfactory solution – for I want to see your face, sorely – I won’t compliment you upon your “maggots” as the “Antiquary” phrases it, but simply state my opinion that you combine, just the knowledge, and the power of detection, for catching one “tripping” – and I want you to exert these combined faculties to my joy or sorrow as the case may be. All this is touching the question of the Apocalyptic “Antipas” which I think I have now settled, so as to be satisfactory to your mind, and if so, it will do for any one else. So that you see, I want you to administer to me, in private, that which in a review, would perhaps prove a cup of bitterness.

I will tell you what I have done, (in connexion with an edition of the Apocalypse which I am preparing) as to this subject.

1st I have made fac similes of the existing MS, as far as England is concerned.

2nd I have ascertained the evidence afforded by the versions – Æthiopian Coptic Syrian Arabic Armenian –

3rd I have collected the notices of all the earliest critics, as to the text itself – The comments on it, and the inferences deducible –

4th I have obtained good scriptural evidence as to the use & meaning of the verb <Greek text>.

5th I have pretty well ascertained how the mistake, if it be so, began, and gradually grew into the present form of the modern text –

6th I have endeavored to shew how the word in question has been used, & why, and to present some grounds for defining, the precise sense, & prophetic meaning intended in the record of the Apocalypse as to this passage.

The general balance of evidence, is, that all the early MS, and versions are more or less with me – That the Vulgate itself in its earliest form is neuter – And that the only grounds for the present text can be traced to their origin, in conjecture. – “My Lord, This is my case” – When will you hear the pleadings? or are you altogether too busy – If not, I have some marvels to propose to you, as to a kindred matter.

Always yours affectly

Ed Murray.

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