5, Richmond Grove,
Barnsbury, N.
5 Septr 1876
My dear Sir/
The death of Mr Smith <1> is almost a scientific calamity as yet no details are known
I hope that his MSS will be bought by the Museum Authorities perhaps you would give your voice in favor of it?
The new part of the Transactions <2> is being printed off but the final sheets are delayed for corrections I do hope to distribute the part very quickly
You have no doubt heard from Dr Birch <3> that we have secured an Office for the Library and to carry on the classes. as soon as we have removed we shall be very glad of all the books that friends can give us as we want to establish a reading room The New Volume of the Records of the Past <4> will be ready in a week or so – it has been waiting for Opperts <5> review of his Sargon texts
Y <tly?>
W. R Cooper
H Fox Talbot Esq. F.RSNotes:
1. George Smith (1840–1876), Assyriologist. He died at Aleppo on 19th August 1876.
2. Transactions of the Society of Biblical Archaeology (London).
3. Dr Samuel Birch (1813–1885), linguist, Keeper at the British Museum, London.
4. Records of the Past being English Translations of the Assyrian and Egyptian Monuments (London: Samuel Bagster & Sons).
5. Prof Julius Oppert (1825–1905), German Assyriologist, active in Paris.