British Museum
6th August 1873
My dear Sir
Mr Smith has as you are aware from the public Journals returned – but the results of his excavations have not yet arrived
The Transactions of the S. B. A. are ready – but on looking over them I find one or two points to which I call you attention in p.33. l.3-5 in Bahlim et cet. there are no cuneiform characters given – is the omission intentional in p.34 l.2 nedin dmou has no cuneiform text is that also intentional or has the printer omitted to insert them. Is line 9 in p.48 complete anilu ouatre it consists only of two words.
If any correction is necessary kindly inform me – or send to Messrs Harrisons as the imprimatur is to be to morrow There must be no conversing as the part is made up. In the legend of Ishtar p.185 + elsewhere South reads Samtar (Samter) not Namtar. I do not know which is right but if you think samtar preferable please let me or the printer know. We are most anxious to get Vol II Pt. I out and have Pt II of the same nearly ready This will no doubt give satisfaction and our little Society can by its activity have favorable comparisons with the ponderous but slower learned bodies
Believe me Yours vy trly
S Birch
H. Fox Talbot Esqr
&c &c
[envelope:]
H. Fox Talbot Esqe
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wilts