WCP144

[1]

Old Orchard,

Broadstone,

Wimborne.

Feby 6th, 1909

My dear Will¹

I enclose your checque for this month’s fees at Sanatorium.

While lunching with Mr. Preece^{2 (& Sir William)} he asked about you, & I told him the circumstance and asked him what he thought the healthiest work you could get. He said that undoubtedly Wireless telegraphy was most suitable, and it was extending so rapidly that [2] a number of men were being wanted to superintend at the Stations. He said the first thing to do was to learn the practical signalling either at some station or at schools where it was taught; and also the details of the various methods now in use which would be quite easy for you. Before³ applying you must be ready to undertake work immediately. He said that as soon as you were well enough & call on him; he would be glad to talk to you about it, and give you any assistance [3] in his power.

Last week-end young Lieut. Brandon,⁴ who was been here 5-6 years ago, told me he has been some time working, privately, at the attempt to make the signals more distinct, or even to be automatically registered. He⁵ is now in the Hydrographical Office of the Admiralty and may get a permanent Post there. He has been in ships for some years ^{in Borneo &c.} where it is constantly used every ship in the Navy in fact having it — and they all have men day & night listening for signals — 2 hours spells each. He says what they call good and distinct signals, one such very delicate and minute sounds that you have to be in a sound-proof room to hear them, and that the [4] the least inattention or the slightest defect in hearing causes the signals to be lost. He says that most of the electricians say it is impossible to make them louder, but th he thinks it is ^possible, & trying on the principle of the microphone — at present with ^only partial success. He has an electrical workman fitting up the apparatus &c. for his experiment and suggesting improvements &c. He pays his workman’s wages, & he is to have half-share in the profits if they succeed in getting any good practical results.

Do you know that the Mr. Harry Cox who has just lost most of his hands by the X-rays, is the little watchmaker who was at Parkstone?

Your affectionate Pa | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]

See⁶ my letter in to day’s "Daily News" — cut out & send me if you can.