9h October 1875
My dear Sir,
In reply to your note <1> I write to say it is not quite certain when Mr Smith <2> will start as there is at present no news of the firman. Probably I shall be able to tell you at the end of this letter. Mr Smith thinks it would be best for you to come up next week when he would be very happy to see you He will start for Mosul <3> or Constantinople in a week
Believe me Yours very truly
S Birch
[envelope, blindstamped "British Museum" on flap:]
H. Fox Talbot Esq
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. See Doc. No: 00409.
2. George Smith (1840–1876), Assyriologist.
3. City north of Baghdad.