[on decorative monogrammed notepaper]

D^r Sir

In a conversation with which you honored me at the British Museum some short time since I promised more than I can perform.- I thought I would have laid my hand on all the Copies I had made from the Cuneiform Tablets which had been declared by Sir Henry Rawlinson to be useless for this purpose but having been so declared my Assistant not thinking them of any value has made free with so many of them that I fear what remain will be of little value to you- Such as they are I enclose them that you may not suppose I have been entirely forgetful of my promise. I was very vexed when I discovered so few of them were in existence. Should you at any time however have to refer to the Originals you will find my Copies marked with the number I have marked on them. All I have copied are indicated thus +127 - or whatever the number may be.-

I remain D^r Sir Y^r obliged O^t S^t
R E Bowler

8 York Terrace
Acacia Road
S^t Johns Wood

Sep^r 22^nd 1865

P.S. I did not write immediately hoping some, thought to be destroyed, might be discovered - since when I have been out of town

REB