Ɛpsilon

WCP2373

Letter (WCP2373.2263)

[1]1

Raystead,

Worthing.

18th Sepr 1878

My Dear Sir,

I have had much pleasure in signing the accompanying testimonial2 in your favour feeling confident that you are particularly well qualified to fill the part of Surveyor or superintendent of Epping Forest — This confidence arises from my knowledge of you for so many years during which you have [2] shown such high intelligence, zeal and great ability as a naturalist, that you have joined a very high place among scientific men and an enviable position in public estimation — wishing you every success –

Yours very truly | W Wilson Saunders3 [signature]

Alfred R. Wallace Esq. &c. &c. &c.

[3]4

1
In pencil in ARW’s handwriting, “Answd”. The letter has not been found.
2
Wallace had written to several people, asking them to sign a memorial (a statement of facts) in his favour in support of his application for the new post of Superintendent of Epping Forest.
3
Saunders, William Wilson (1809-1879). British insurance broker, entomologist and botanist.
4
In pencil in unknown handwriting, “? Wilson Saunders Biol”.

Editorial information

Status: Draft transcription [Letter (WCP2373.2263)]

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

Revision history

Transcribed by Crane, Megan [2015-04-24] Transcription checked by Benny, Ruth [2015-04-24] Transcription checked by Sherwood, Danni [2020-08-10] Transcription checked by Chua, Christine [2026-04-18]

Please cite as “WCP2373,” in Beccaloni, G. W. (ed.), Ɛpsilon: The Alfred Russel Wallace Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/wallace/letters/WCP2373