Ɛpsilon

WCP2402

Letter (WCP2402.2292)

[1]

Geological Survey

Edinburgh

August 6th 1879

My Dear Sir,

I need hardly say that I read with intense pleasure the article1 on Glacial Epochs in the Quarterly Review, which has been very much heightened by hearing this morning from Mr. Fisher2 who the author is. The article will do more for the theory of C & T. than anything which has yet appeared on the subject. From your special knowledge [2] of climate in relation to Geographical Distribution as well as from your extensive acquaintance with all branches of Natural Science I had long felt somewhat curious to learn your real opinion on t the bearing of the theory and I certainly am not a little flattered as well as delighted to find it so favourable. I am glad to have this opportunity of expressing to you my best thanks.

I had a letter from [3] Mr James Geikie3 a few days ago letter, on how delighted he was with the article.

I am glad your article has set Mr. Fisher to the study of that important and much overlooked subject, the Temperature of Space. I hope he will make something out of it.

I am | yours most truly, | James Croll4[signature]

Alfred R. Wallace, Esqr

1
[Wallace, A. R.] 1879. Glacial epochs and warm polar climates. Quarterly Review 148 (295): 119-135.
2
Fisher, Osmond (1817-1914). British geologist and geophysicist.
3
Geikie, James Murdoch (1839-1915). British geologist; brother of Archibald Geikie.
4
Croll, James (1821-1890). British geologist and climatologist. Developed a theory of climate change based on the earth’s orbit around the sun.

Editorial information

Status: Draft transcription [Letter (WCP2402.2292)]

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

Revision history

Transcription checked by Benny, Ruth [2014-12-02] Transcribed by Hamburger, Esther [2015-01-22] Transcription checked by Sherwood, Danni [2020-08-10] Transcription checked by Chua, Christine [2026-04-18]

Published letter (WCP2402.6820)

[1] [p. 334]

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, EDINBURGH,

6th August 1879.

Alfred R. Wallace, Esq.

MY DEAR SIR, — I need hardly say that I read with intense pleasure the article on "Glacial Epochs" in the Quarterly Review, which has been very much heightened by learning this morning from Mr. Fisher1who the author is. The article will do more for the theory of C. and T2. than anything which has yet appeared on the subject. From your special knowledge of climate in relation to geographical distribution, as well as from your extensive acquaintance with all branches of natural science, I had long felt somewhat curious to learn your real opinion as to the bearing of the theory, and I certainly am not a little flattered as well as delighted to find it so favourable. I am glad to have this opportunity of expressing to you my best thanks.

I had a letter from Mr. James Geikie3 a few days ago, telling me how delighted he was with the article.

I am glad your article has set Mr. Fisher to the study of that important and much overlooked subject, the temperature of space. I hope he will make something out of it. —

I am, yours most truly, | JAMES CROLL.

1
Fisher, Osmond (1817-1914). British geologist and geophysicist.
2
Very likely "theory of Climate and Time". Based on the title of James Croll's book "Climate and Time in their Geological Relations; a theory of Secular Changes of the Earth's Climate." <https://www.nature.com/articles/012141a0> [accessed 27 October 2019]
3
Geikie, James Murdoch (1839-1915). British geologist; brother of Archibald Geikie.

Editorial information

Status: Draft transcription [Published letter (WCP2402.6820)]

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

Revision history

Transcribed by Lo, Yen-Nyuk [2019-12-18]

Please cite as “WCP2402,” in Beccaloni, G. W. (ed.), Ɛpsilon: The Alfred Russel Wallace Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/wallace/letters/WCP2402