6, Michael’s Grove
20 May, 1862.
Dear Sir
We are still in the dark in so many matters appertaining to Assyrian readings that I would not press my opinion on any point, but I am not satisfied that amma can be separated from a verb, and could mean “away”. I admit that the few cases I have found since receiving your note, <1> appear to be in your favour, as the verbs are generally verbs of motion. The examples in [illegible] Pul seems to me insufficient, and would read: “I carried away, and also” had it been instead of the case would have been different. What do you say of [nusatbamma?], i.20 of [Senkerch?] cylinder and usdibamma, E. I. H. ii.6.
erubamma, in Taylor’s Senacherib [sic] iv.76 is a verb of motion I admit.
What is surihòimamma in E I H.. i.69.
see also huselamma, in the old [Br.?] illus series pl 38. l 17. though I admit this may be read huseluma. See also E. I. H. i.69, ii.6, 39 iii.37.50?
I have only time to intimate these, my work at Foreign Office takes up too much of my time to allow entering into particulars: if I wait till I have time, I shall never reply to your note
I think you agree that after a verb means “and,” as in “ibusu ma la usaklila,” “he made and did not finish”, and so in a hundred instances: now it seems to me that in verbs ending with u a following ma would induce an assimilation of the v in the u[.?] u is =av [sic] and am. uma would therefore be amma, or perhaps avva. All this should be more methodically displayed if I had leisure, but my official labours take up all my regular time, and I have only odd moments for Assyrian.
Yours very truly
Edwin Norris
H. Fox Talbot, Esq.
&c &c &c
[envelope:]
H. Fox Talbot Esqr
Millburn Tower,
Edinburgh
Notes:
1. Letter not located.