WCP2382

Letter (WCP2382.2272)

[1]1, 2

18 October 1878

My dear Sir,

I cordially record my conviction of your special fitness for undertaking the charge of Epping Forest,3 both as regards the intelligent conservation of the existing Forest, and the successful restoration of the cleared portions.

Having had exceptional opportunities of studying in different climates the physical [2]4 conditions which influence vegetation, and being induced[?] by your own special studies researches to make exact and extensive observations on this subject, you are in possession of a vast amount of knowledge, which few if any possess, and which could be specially applied in the duties requiring to be discharged in the oversight of Epping Forest.

That you are able to utilize this in practice I have had [3]5 ample opportunity of observing from the inspection of the grounds around your former[?] house6, where you have overcome the difficulties of a poor soil and exposed situation, and succeeded in establishing an extensive variety of vigourous trees and shrubs, of kinds not only already known in Britain, but others from foreign countries which your knowledge enabled you to introduce.

Realising the great importance of the work, especially in the adoption of sound principles at the outset, and being convinced that [4] serious[?] and irreparable injury may speedily[?] be done to the Forest, I am anxious that the undertaking should be placed in the hands of one fitted to discharge its duties efficiently, and my firm belief being that you have in an altogether exceptional degree the knowledge[,] experience, taste and love for such a work I earnestly trust that you will be selected by the authorities[.]

I am[?] | faithfully yours | Wm Carruthers7, 8 [signature] | F.R.S.9 Keeper of the | Department of Botany | British Museum

A.R Wallace10

1
Text in another hand in the top right corner reads "425".
2
There is a British Museum stamp in the middle of the top of the page.
3
In 1878, the Epping Forest Act appointed the Corporation of London as conservators of the Forest. From 152 candidates for the post of Superintendent, Wallace was on the shortlist of three, but was not appointed. Raby, Peter (2002). Alfred Russel Wallace, Princeton University Press, 354 pp. [p.220].
4
There is a British Museum stamp in the middle of the top of the page.
5
Text in another hand in the top right corner reads "426".
6
"The Dell" in Grays, Essex, where Wallace lived from March 1872 to July 1876. The Alfred Russel Wallace Website.
7
Carruthers, William (1830-1922). Scottish botanist and Keeper of the Botanical department at the Natural History Museum 1871-1895. NHM.
8
There is a British Museum stamp in red ink to the right of the signature.
9
F.R.S.: Fellow of the Royal Society.
10
The text "A.R. Wallace" is written in the bottom left corner, with two short underlinings and a vertical squiggly line to the right, separating it from the valediction.

Editorial information

Status: Draft transcription [Letter (WCP2382.2272)]

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

Revision history

Transcribed by Ghosh, Susan [2018-08-15]

Please cite as “WCP2382,” in Beccaloni, G. W. (ed.), Ɛpsilon: The Alfred Russel Wallace Collection accessed on 28 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/wallace/letters/WCP2382