WCP2309

[1]

Broomfield Sheffield.

Dec 9/ [18]74

My dear Sir

I have long had an idea that some most valuable facts in connection with the antiquity and origin of man might be learned by an exploration of the caverns in Borneo. If I remember rightly, you have expressed the same feeling in some of your contributions to [2] "Nature." Now I am willing to take up the matter, if there is any chance of meeting with a suitable person for carrying out the undertaking. I would start the thing by offering to give say £ 100, provided that others would join, and that in one way or other something like an additional £ 1000 could be raised. Could we not get help from different scientific societies as well as from private [3] sources? I have written to Sir John Lubbock, and he says he has always looked upon the Borneo caves as promising, but wonders whether any one could be found suitable for the exploration. I should much like to hear what you think.

Trusting that you will pardon my thus writing, when I have never been formally introduced to you, I remain[?]

Yours very truly | H. C. Sorby [signature]

F. R. S. &c.

[4] Sorby¹

British Museum²