Lacock Abbey
Aug. 29. 1873
My Dear Sir
I was very glad to see by today’s Daily Telegraph that a great portion of Mr Smith’s excavated tablets have arrived safely in London, and likewise that the Trustees have written a very handsome letter of thanks & acknowledgements to Mr Arnold the editor. This remarkable and rather hazardous expedition has therefore been crowned with success on all points.
Audaces fortuna juvat
In the same paper of Aug. 19 Mr Smith has given a translation of the Descent of Ishtar into Hades, which in some parts agrees very closely with my translation but in others differs widely as where punishment, and not reward, is promised to the phantom who rescues Ishtar (and whom Mr Smith calls a Sphinx).
A field is open for the researches of other Assyriologists who will decide these difficult points. In the meanwhile I am glad to find Mr Smith fully concurs in the version of several passages which I proposed not without hesitation. In some passages I think he has hit the true meaning where I had missed it as where the Sun comes into the presence of the god Hea weeping for Ishtar – I had not noticed the word Dima Heb. [õîê?] to weep. but when pointed out I think it indubitable.
I see that Lenormant is also occupying himself with this Legend, but has only given us as yet an outline of a translation, which therefore I cannot as yet appreciate.
I sent him a copy of my translation addressed to Bossieu par Culoz. ([Ain?]) but I do not know if it reached him – perhaps he is absent from home.
I propose to come to Town for a few days soon, but have fixed no time for it as yet – I should be sorry to come while you are absent, perhaps you will inform me if you are leaving Town.
Yours by Truly
H. F. Talbot
Dr Birch. B. Musm