25 High Street Margate
Wednesday August 9th 1871
My dear Sir
I have been very ill and unable to touch Cuneiform for some time but before I became bad I finished the Assurbanipal and I have asked Harrisons to forward your sheets to you, there are 32 more pages p.p. 305-336. I got the Syllabary set up in type and commenced correcting it when I fell ill – I have no hopes of being able to finish it at present so I think of publishing Assurbanipal without it, and bringing it out as a small pamphlet – I test every value by the Inscriptions, I do not take Oppert for a <ill. del.> guide, I have a large number of values from Museum Tablets which I think will interest you – I have examined K 131 I candidly say I should not translate some of it as you have done – the whole tablet throughout appears to me easy to read but the it is written in complicated character and is not easy to copy, as soon as I am able to return to the Museum I will copy it for you and post it to you I have overworked myself – I worked more than 6 month without a days rest and consequently broke down I want a good rest but have small chance of getting it as I have a large family and little means I shall be back in London on Friday if all is well.
Yours respectfully
George Smith
H. F. Talbot Esq