WCP2301

Lamorna Torquay

Feb 1. 1874

Dear Mr Wallace

Without subscribing to your opinion that "Cave work is getting rather played out in England" (See Report and Paper¹ on Kent’s Hole, such as Bradford, last year), I heartily join in your wish that something could be done to provide Everett² with means for exploring a good Cavern in Borneo.

It is impossible, however, for me to move in the matter of asking Lady Burdett Coutts³ for a grant; first, because [2] I have uniformly declined to ask her for money for any purpose whatever; and, secondly, because I am not a member of the new Borneo-Cave Committee.

I venture to suggest that some member of that Committee. – Busk⁴ seems to be the man — should apply to the Royal Society for a grant, say of £100, from the Parliamentary fund. Were such a grant secured, the Baroness might then be applied to for a supplementary sum; and I would suggest that his friend Kay [3] Shuttleworth⁵ should be asked to lay the case before her. He is on the most intimate terms with her; and is himself much interested in Cavern work, as is shown by his position and actions in the Settle Cave Committee.

I ought, however, to add that he has been much discouraged about aiding in Cavern researches by the fact that he gave £50 towards exploring Brixham Cavern in 1858, and up to this time has seen no Report on that work. Be all this as it may, if he can be interested in the Borneo Caves he may speak to me on the [4] subject, in which case I should be only too happy to support the application.

You will be so good as to regard this letter as a private suggestion to you. I hope you will do your best to get the Borneo-Cave Committee into action as soon as possible.

I am truly yours | Wm Pengelly⁶ [signature]

AR. Wallace Esq.