To J. D. Hooker   17 December 1879

My dear Hooker,

I have had a letter marked private from Miss Buckley on the following subject, but please observe that she wishes her name not to be mentioned. She says that Wallace “is not strong & that literary work tires him very much, & the uncertainty of it is a great anxiety to him”. She adds that she knows “that pecuniarily it is of importance to him to get a regular salary”. He lately wrote to her “I want some regular work either partially out-door or if indoor then not more than 5 or 6 hrs a day, & capable of being partially done at home. This I see no probability, hardly a possibility of getting at my age”.¹

Miss Buckley asks me to consult you, Lubbuck,² & others whether any thing can be done for him. I can see no possibility of obtaining any scientific post for him, with a small regular salary; but it has occurred to me that it might be just possible to get him one of the government pensions. You can judge infinitely better than I can on this head; and will you be so kind as to let me hear what you think. If the presidents of the several leading scientific societies & some dozen other eminent scientific men were willing to sign a memorial stating his claims, Government would perhaps listen to it; especially if any influential man like yourself could say a word in his favour. It seems to me that a fairly strong claim might be made out,— his travels in S. America & the Malay Archipelago for scientific purposes,— his large share in the descent theory,— his grand work on geographical distribution,— Essays on Protection &c.³ If you think at all favourably of the scheme, will you talk it over with any other leading men such as Huxley or Spottiswoode,⁴ as soon as you meet them. I am in very bad position for doing much, but should feel bound to undertake all the labour, if the plan is considered feasible by you & a few others. I hope & trust that the cause justifies me in troubling you about it.

My dear Hooker | Every yours sincerely | Charles Darwin