[WHFT's original letter is in the British Museum and his draft is in the British Library]

A. Panizzi Esq

[added in another hand:] 116

[added in another hand:] 14/1/57

[added in another hand:] Rec. Jan^y 14^th 1857

Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Jan^ry 13^th 1857

Sir

I most willingly agree to the conditions mentioned by Sir H. Rawlinson which appear to me very reasonable and I beg to point out to you, that in a former letter, at the commencement of this correspondence, I had proposed of my own accord to enter into an engagement similar to the one now mentioned-

My intention will be, in case I am so fortunate as to make a translation worthy of communication to the Royal Asiatic Society, to deposit such translation, under seal, in their possession until Sir H. R.'s translation has been published–

I will be very much obliged to you to send me the lithographs in a parcel by the Great Western Railway

I remain Sir Yours very faithfully
H. F. Talbot

[draft]

Panizzi Jan^y 13/57

Sir

I most willingly agree to the condit^ns ment^d by Sir H. R. w^ch appear to me v^y reasonable and I beg to point out to you, that in a former letter, at y^e comm^ct of this corresp^ce – I had proposed of my own accord, to enter into an engagm^t, similar to the one now ment^d My intentⁿ will be, in case I am so fortun^te as to make a translⁿ worthy of communⁿ to the R. As^c Soc^y, to deposit such translⁿ, under seal, in their archives possessⁿ until Sir H. R’s translⁿ has bⁿ published – I will be vy much obliged to you to send me y^e lithographs in a parcel by the G W R

[expanded version:]

to Panizzi
January 13^th, 1857

I most willingly agree to the conditions mentioned by Sir Henry Rawlinson which appear to me very reasonable and I beg to point out to you, that in a former letter, at the commencement of this correspondence – I had proposed of my own accord, to enter into an engagement, similar to the one now mentioned My intention will be, in case I am so fortunate as to make a translation worthy of communication to the Royal Asiatic Society, to deposit such translation under seal, in their archives possession until Sir Henry Rawlinson's translation has been published – I will be very much obliged to you to send me the lithographs in a parcel by the Great Western Railway