TALBOT985

25^th July 1876

My dear Sir,

The Trustees last Saturday determined to extend Mr Boscawens ¹ probation for six months and he will I trust give satisfaction during that period. He had contravened several official regulations. Our news here of Mr G. Smith ² is not later than the 14^h June but from intelligence that has reached he left Baghdad about the 20^h June it is said for Bombay. He ought to be home by the middle of August, supposing he embarks at Bombay for England. Pt I. Vol V. of the Transactions ³ will be out soon and the 7^h volume of the Records of the Past ⁴ sooner. The volume is made up and only required a short preface. A new French Assyriologist has appeared the Comte de Blaras a young man <illegible deletion> and pupil of Oppert. ⁵ He has been here and at Oxford but Mr Sayce ⁶ is at present abroad Have you written for your Transactions of the Congress

Believe me Yours very Truly

S Birch

H. Fox Talbot Esqre