Royal Asiatic Society,
5, New Burlington Street,
London,
21st March 1860.
Dear Sir,
We have no meeting until the 21st April, and I will keep a place in our programme for your paper; there is only one contingency that could prevent its being read then, which is the entire day being occupied with business: viz. selection of a new Council, new vice Presidents, audit of Accounts reading Report, &c. in reality a rehearsal of our Anniversary meeting, which takes place in May. But it is very unlikely that the whole morning should be so take up.
I have no reply yet from Panizzi; <1> he probably waits for a meeting of Trustees, before making up his mind
My mention of the transliteration was a consequence of your reply to a former suggestion of mine that such a publication would be of interest. We have yet seen nothing of the sort in print, except the Achemænian [sic] inscription but I hope you will do what you think best yourself
Oppert <2> is a clever man, but he certainly does now and then make extraordinary guesses!
The [illegible] inscription is on the stone, but I have sent the impression to Sir H R. <3> for imprimatum. I should moreover hardly think myself empowered to send you the copy, as I am working on materials not my own. But as I know that Panizzi and Rawlinson would both consent to your seeing it, I will look over my papers at the first moment and get out my collation of the three inscriptions for your inspection, and you will understand that it is “private”
I am, Dear Sir yours faithfully
Edwin Norris
&c &c &c
[envelope:]
[blindstamp rear flap:] RAS
H. F. Talbot Esq
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham.
Notes:
1. Sir Anthonio Genesio Maria Panizzi (1797–1879), British Museum Librarian.
2. Prof Julius Oppert (1825–1905), German Assyriologist, active in Paris.
3. Sir Henry Creswicke Rawlinson, 1st Baronet (1810–1895), orientalist.