London 14th October 1858 Sir! I take the liberty to address to you these lines suggesting that a Professorship might be created for the study of the Turkish language in King's College & stating the grounds on which my humble application for undertaking this task might not be thought unworthy of your attention. This language to which, until late events, there has been but little attention bestowed is gaining daily more in importance. The increasing number of Europeans in the Levant since the war with Russia, the allowances made by Government to civilization & the gradual and irresistible progress of the spirit of the age, which makes its influence to be felt in the remotest part of the Ottoman Empire, has & will greatly contribute to render that country accessible to all Europeans. A knowledge of the Turkish language therefore is indispensable to a Diplomatician, a Merchant or a Tourist, whom circumstances may lead there and the classical height to which this language seems to attain, favored and encouraged as the study of it is by the Turkish Grandees who themselves [address at bottom of page: Revd Dr Jelf Principal of King's College & & & London]