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Document number: 2571
Date: Fri 15 Oct 1875
Dating: confirmed by Smith's expedition, 04341
Recipient: TALBOT Constance, née Mundy
Author: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Last updated: 1st September 2003

Athenæum <1>

Friday Octr 15

My Dear Constance

Please to send the carriage to meet me at Chippenham <2> tomorrow at 2,50. I am very glad you stopped my letter going to Bath which was merely to say that the parcel had not been received at Chippenham station.

I took leave today of Mr Smith <3> who is just about to start on his arduous journey to Niniveh <sic>, this will be his third expedition.

The Turkish government has reluctantly granted a firman, but it is coupled with 20 or 30 conditions some of which are, that Mr Smith is to bear all the expense of digging, but is to have only one third of the antiquities he may find. The government are to have one third and the proprietors of the soil one third, for damage done to crops although it is mostly waste land where the excavations are. Mr Smith has no doubt the proprietors will accept cash instead of antiquities and he means to make them a liberal offer. The government also are open to a compromise they only want to screw out the largest sum possible.

Your affte

Henry


Notes:

1. Athenaeum Club, Pall Mall, London: WHFT’s club; a gentleman’s club composed primarily of artists and scientists.

2. Chippenham, Wiltshire: largest town near Lacock, 3 miles N.

3. George Smith (1840–1876), Assyriologist.

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