[on notepaper blindstamped The Athenĉum]
A. Panizzi Esq
[added in another hand:] Rec. Dec. 15h 1856
Athenĉum Club
Saturday
Dec 13/56
Sir
I have just received a letter written by your directions and forwarded to me from Lacock Abbey-
You will perceive that I had anticipated your desire that I should obtain a written consent from Mr Norris to my application to the Trustees for copies of the lithographs;-
That written consent he very readily gave- I is dated 30th October, and I forwarded a copy to you in a letter of yesterday's date which I trust has reached your hands-
Neither Mr Norris nor Sir H. Rawlinson have written to me since, to withdraw or in any way to modify that consent, nor in fact have given me the smallest intimation of a wish to do so- If therefore the Trustees think fit to withdraw the favor they had intended to grant, is it too much to request that the reason may be fully state? as I am at present in the dark on the subject, & cannot imagine upon what grounds their decision has been altered
I have the honor to be Sir Your most obedt Servt.
H.F. Talbot