5 Richmond Grove
Barnsbury N.
21st Jany 1875
My Dear Sir
Will you Kindly let me Know at once what text you intend to favor us with for the next volume of the Records of the Past <1> as I can then make arrangements with the other gentlemen who are anxious to begin directly
Mr Rodwell <2> will take the two Nabonidus texts <3> since you declined these when last at the Museum, and Mr Smith <4> has kindly offered to Assist any one who will retranslate the prayers of Amil urgal and the war of the Gods, or of the seven Evil Spirits
What is particulary [sic] wanted is one or two good Sargon texts. one Nebuchadnezzar <5> Mr Rodwell will take the other one leaving the choice to you, and some more sacred poetry, including of course the War of the Spirits
I do not wish to encroach upon your learned liberality only it is necessary to compile a list of promised texts as soon as possible. You Know of course that we intend to issue two Assyrian Volumes this year
Accept my best thanks for all your generous assistance
My Dear S Yrs faly
W. R. Cooper
H. Fox Talbot E. F.R.S
[envelope:]
Henry Fox Talbot E. DCL FRS
&c &c &c
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Notes:
1. Records of the Past being English Translations of the Assyrian and Egyptian Monuments (London: Samuel Bagster & Sons).
2. Rev John Medows Rodwell (1808–1900), orientalist.
3. Probably two among the newly found dated cuneiform tablets brought back by George Smith in 1873 and 1874 and mentioned in George Smith, Assyrian Discoveries (London: Sampson Low, Marston, Low and Searle), p. 387.
4. George Smith (1840–1876), Assyriologist.
5. Nebuchadnezzar II, king of the Chaldean dynasty of Babylonia (reigned ca.605– ca.561 BC).