BM
20h Feby 1874
My dear Sir,
We have had some telegrams & short letters from Mr. G. Smith <1> who is at Mosul The Governor had impeded the excavations but the difficulties are no doubt by this time removed. When you come to London I will do all possible to facilitate your researches and you can study my Tablet, you require as usual. The 1st Volume of the ‘Records’ <2> is very good and as far as I hear successful. Mr Cooper <3> indeed speaks of a new edition or reprint in a month or two. The Egyptian volume will be more varied but the texts are generally shorter. There is to be a second vol. of Assyrian issued at Christmas as I hear you will no doubt give some new and important texts After all historical documents are more important than literary ones although the literature is more diverting Amongst the Assyrian tablets are one or two old fables but I think they are mutilated
Believe me Yours vy truly
S Birch
H. Fox Talbot EqeNotes:
1. George Smith (1840–1876), Assyriologist.
2. Records of the Past being English Translations of the Assyrian and Egyptian Monuments (London: Samuel Bagster & Sons).
3. William Ricketts Cooper (1843–1878) Secretary, Society of Biblical Archaeology, London.