WCP1456

Transcription (WCP1456.1235)

[1]

To T. H. Huxley.) 9, St. Mark’s Crescent, Regent’s Park, N.W.

Dec. 1st. 1866

Dear Huxley

Thanks for your note. Of course I have no wish to press on you an enquiry for which you have neither time nor inclination. As for the "gossip" you speak of, I care for it as little as you can do, — but what I do feel an intense interest in, is the exhibition of force where force has been declared impossible, and of intelligence from a source the very mention of which has been declared deemed an absurdity.

Farrady[sic]1 has declared (a propos of this subject) that he who can prove the existence or exertion of force, if but the lifting of a single ounce, by a power not yet recognised by science, — will deserve and assuredly receive applause and gratitude. — (I quote from memory the sense of his expressions in his Lecture on Education2.)

I believe I can now show such a force, and I trust some of the physicists may be found to admit its importance and examine into it.

Believe me | Yours very sincerely | Alfred R. Wallace.

1
Faraday, Michael (1791-1867). British scientist who discovered the principles underlying electromagnetic induction and electrolysis. Fullerian Professor of Chemistry at the Royal Institution, London, 1833-67 and Superintendent of the House at the Royal Institution, 1852-67.
2
ARW paraphrases Faraday's assertion, "if he can make the most delicate balance incline or decline by attraction, though it be only with the force of an ounce, or even a grain, he will not fail to gain universal respect and most honourable reward." (Faraday, M. 1854. Observations on Mental Education. 39-88. Lectures on Education. London: J. W. Parker & Son, p.53.)

Editorial information

Status: Edited (but not proofed) transcription [Transcription (WCP1456.1235)]

For more information about the transcriptions and metadata, see https://wallaceletters.myspecies.info/content/epsilon

Revision history

Transcribed by Catchpole, Caroline [2013-04-16] Transcription checked by Beros, Matt [2019-12-20]

Transcription (WCP1456.4324)

[1]

To T. H. Huxley.

9, St. Mark’s Crescent,

Regent’s Park, N.W.

Dec. 1st. 1866

Dear Huxley

Thanks for your note. Of course I have no wish to press on you an enquiry for which you have neither time nor inclination. As for the "gossip" you speak of, I care for it as little as you can do,— but what I do feel an intense interest in, is the exhibition of force where force has been declared impossible, and of intelligence from a source the very mention of which has been declared deemed an absurdity.

Farrady[sic] has declared (a propos of this subject) that he who can prove the existence or exertion of force, if but the lifting of a single ounce, by a power not yet recognised by science,— will deserve and assuredly receive applause and gratitude.— (I quote from memory the sense of his expressions in his Lecture on Education.)

I believe I can now show such a force, and I trust some of the physicists may be found to admit its importance and examine into it.

Believe me | Yours very sincerely | Alfred R. Wallace.

Editorial information

Status: Draft transcription [Transcription (WCP1456.4324)]

For more information about the transcriptions and metadata, see https://wallaceletters.myspecies.info/content/epsilon

Revision history

Transcribed by Benny, Ruth [2014-10-14] Transcription checked by Benny, Ruth [2014-10-14] Transcription checked by Sherwood, Danni [2020-08-10]

Published letter (WCP1456.6598)

[1] [p. 188]

9 St. Mark's Crescent, Regent's Park, N.W. December 1, 1866.

Dear Huxley, — Thanks for your note. Of course, I have no wish to press on you an inquiry for which you have neither time nor inclination. As for the "gossip" you speak of, I care for it as little as you can do, but what I do feel an intense interest in is the exhibition of force where force has been declared impossible, and of intelligence from a source the very mention of which has been deemed an absurdity.

Faraday1 has declared (apropos of this subject) that he who can prove the existence or exertion of force, if but the lifting of a single ounce, by a power not yet recognised by science, will deserve and assuredly receive applause and gratitude. (I quote from memory the sense of his expressions in his Lecture on Education.)2

I believe I can now show such a force, and I trust some of the physicists may be found to admit its importance and examine into it. — Believe me yours very sincerely, | ALFRED R. WALLACE.

1
Faraday, Michael (1791-1867). British scientist who discovered the principles underlying electromagnetic induction and electrolysis. Fullerian Professor of Chemistry at the Royal Institution, London 1833-67 and Superintendent of the House at the Royal Institution 1852-67.
2
Faraday's lecture on education.

Editorial information

Status: Draft transcription [Published letter (WCP1456.6598)]

For more information about the transcriptions and metadata, see https://wallaceletters.myspecies.info/content/epsilon

Revision history

Transcribed by Paterson, Gavin [2019-12-17]

Please cite as “WCP1456,” in Beccaloni, G. W. (ed.), Ɛpsilon: The Alfred Russel Wallace Collection accessed on 27 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/wallace/letters/WCP1456