[on notepaper blindstamped The Athenæum]

A. Panizzi Esq

[added in another hand:] Rec. Dec. 15^h 1856

Athenæum Club
Saturday
Dec 13/56

Sir

I have just received a letter written by your directions and forwarded to me from Lacock Abbey-

You will perceive that I had anticipated your desire that I should obtain a written consent from Mr Norris to my application to the Trustees for copies of the lithographs;-

That written consent he very readily gave- I is dated 30^th October, and I forwarded a copy to you in a letter of yesterday's date which I trust has reached your hands-

Neither M^r Norris nor Sir H. Rawlinson have written to me since, to withdraw or in any way to modify that consent, nor in fact have given me the smallest intimation of a wish to do so- If therefore the Trustees think fit to withdraw the favor they had intended to grant, is it too much to request that the reason may be fully state? as I am at present in the dark on the subject, & cannot imagine upon what grounds their decision has been altered

I have the honor to be Sir Your most obed^t Serv^t.
H.F. Talbot