WCP1979

Letter (WCP1979.4111)

[1]1

Waldron Edge, Duppas Hill, Croydon.

Sept[embe]r. 23rd. 1878

Dear Darwin

Many thanks for your signature and good wishes. I have some hopes of success, but am rather doubtful of the Committee of the Corporation who will have the management, for they have just decided after a great struggle in the Court of Common Council, that it is to be a rotatory Committee, every member of the Council (of whom there are 200) coming on it in succession if they please. They evidently look [2] upon it as a Committee which will have great opportunities of excursions[,] picnics, & dinners, at the expense of the Corporation, while the improvement of the Forest will be quite a secondary matter.

I am very glad to hear you are tolerably well. It is all I can say of myself.

Believe me | Yours very faithfully | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]

Charles Darwin F.R.S.

1
‘Wallace’ is written by another hand at the top of the first sheet of the letter.

Editorial information

Status: Draft transcription [Letter (WCP1979.4111)]

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

Revision history

Transcribed by Lord, Annette [2012-09-24] Transcription checked by Catchpole, Caroline [2013-01-15]

Transcription (WCP1979.1869)

[1]1

To C.Darwin.) Waldron Edge, Duppas Hill, Croydon. Sept.23rd 1878

Dear Darwin

Many thanks for you signature and good wishes. I have some hopes of success, but am rather doubtful of the Committee of the Corporation who will have the management, for they have just decided after a great struggle in the Court of Common Councils* (of whom there are 200) coming on it in succession if they please. They evidently look upon it as a Committee which will have great opportunities of excursions picnics, & dinners, at the expense of the Corporation, — while the improvement of the Forest will be quite a secondary matter.

I am very glad to hear you are tolerably well. It is all I can say of myself.

Believe me Yours very faithfully Alfred R.Wallace

*2 that it is to be a rotatory Committee, every member of the Council

1
The page is numbered (1), and subsequently struck out in pencil
2
The place marker for this footnote is a diagonal cross with dots in each quarter.

Editorial information

Status: Draft transcription [Transcription (WCP1979.1869)]

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

Revision history

Transcribed by Congerton, John [2019-12-17]

Transcription (WCP1979.4474)

[1]

To C[harles]. Darwin.) Waldron Edge, Duppas Hill, Croydon. Sept[ember].23rd 1878

Dear Darwin

Many thanks for your signature and good wishes. I have some hopes of success but am rather doubtful of the Committee of the Corporation who will have the management, for they have just decided after a great struggle in the Court of Common Councils that it is to be a rotatory Committee, every member of the council1 (of whom there are 200) coming on it in succession if they please. They evidently look upon it as a Committee which will have great opportunities of excursions picnics, & dinners, at the expense of the Corporation, while the improvement of the Forest will be quite a secondary matter.

I am very glad to hear you are tolerably well. It is all I can say of myself.

Believe me | Yours very faithfully | Alfred R. Wallace. [signature]

1
The italicized text was added to the end of the letter with an indication of its intended position in the letter.

Editorial information

Status: Draft transcription [Transcription (WCP1979.4474)]

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

Revision history

Transcribed by Ather, Rabiya [2012-08-17] Transcription checked by Catchpole, Caroline [2013-01-15]

Published letter (WCP1979.6077)

[1] [p. 303]

Waldron Edge, Duppas Hill, Croydon. September 23, 1878.

Dear Darwin, — Many thanks for your signature and good wishes.1 I have some hopes of success, but am rather doubtful of the Committee of the Corporation2 who will have the management, for they have just decided after a great struggle in the Court of Common Council3 that it is to be a rotatory Committee, every member of the Council (of whom there are 200) coming on it in succession if they please. They evidently look upon it as a Committee which will have great opportunities of excursions, picnics, and dinners, at the expense of the Corporation, while the improvement of the Forest will be quite a secondary matter. [2] [p. 304]

I am very glad to hear you are tolerably well. It is all I can say of myself. — Believe me yours very faithfully, | ALFRED R. WALLACE.

1
ARW had asked Darwin to support his unsuccessful attempt to become superintendent of Epping Forest. See WCP1977.6075.
2
Corporation of the City of London.
3
The primary decision-making body of the City of London Corporation.

Editorial information

Status: Draft transcription [Published letter (WCP1979.6077)]

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 “WCP1979,” in Beccaloni, G. W. (ed.), Ɛpsilon: The Alfred Russel Wallace Collection accessed on 25 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/wallace/letters/WCP1979