TALBOT8061

Royal Asiatic Society,
5, New Burlington Street,
London,
21^st March 1860.

Dear Sir,

We have no meeting until the 21^st April, and I will keep a place in our programme for your paper; there is only one contingency that could prevent its being read then, which is the entire day being occupied with business: viz. selection of a new Council, new vice Presidents, audit of Accounts reading Report, &c. in reality a rehearsal of our Anniversary meeting, which takes place in May. But it is very unlikely that the whole morning should be so take up.

I have no reply yet from Panizzi; ¹ he probably waits for a meeting of Trustees, before making up his mind

My mention of the transliteration was a consequence of your reply to a former suggestion of mine that such a publication would be of interest. We have yet seen nothing of the sort in print, except the Achemænian [sic] inscription but I hope you will do what you think best yourself

Oppert ² is a clever man, but he certainly does now and then make extraordinary guesses!

The [illegible] inscription is on the stone, but I have sent the impression to Sir H R. ³ for imprimatum. I should moreover hardly think myself empowered to send you the copy, as I am working on materials not my own. But as I know that Panizzi and Rawlinson would both consent to your seeing it, I will look over my papers at the first moment and get out my collation of the three inscriptions for your inspection, and you will understand that it is “private”

I am, Dear Sir yours faithfully
Edwin Norris

H F Talbot Esq
&c &c &c

[envelope:]
[blindstamp rear flap:] RAS
H. F. Talbot Esq
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham.