Lacock Abbey
22. Oct. 76
Dear Sir
I was very much gratified by the news contained in your letter that Government have granted a good pension to Mr Smith’s 1 widow. No pension ever was better deserved.
As I suppose that Mr Rassam 2 will not undertake to copy correctly the cuneiform inscriptions he may find, nor would have time to do so, would it not be a good thing to have him accompanied by a photographer?
This would obviate the danger of the antiquities being wholly lost by shipwreck in transitu as happened to the French collection which was upset in the Tigris by the carelessness of Arab boatmen. Moreover the inscriptions or the first instalment of them would reach the Museum much sooner.
When the 200 tablets 3 arrive from Babylonia, pray let me hear of it. As long as they are at sea I have fears for their safety.
Believe me Yours very Truly
H. F. Talbot
address, Post Office, Bournemouth
Dr Birch B Musm
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