To A. B. Buckley   19 December 1879

My dear Miss Buckley

I put Wallace’s claims strongly before Hooker, and I resolved if he thought that there was a fair chance of getting signature of the President of the Scientific Soc. and of some dozen eminent naturalists to work the plan to my utmost.¹ But I grieve to say that Hooker, though wishing earnestly for Wallace’s welfare, is convinced and has convinced me that the plan is hopeless.— He says that Wallace gave deep offence by bringing on before the British Association in opposition to the Committee a discussion on Spiritualism, and secondly that unfortunate bet about the flatness of the earth which has lowered him much in the opinion of most scientific men.² Hooker says if I were to go on, I should be bound in honour to let the Government know of these affairs.— It is hopeless. Should I hear by any strange chance of any place for which W. would be fitted, assuredly I will not forget him, but I am as little likely as any man in England to hear of such a place.

My dear Miss Buckley | Yours sincerely | Ch. Darwin