Ɛpsilon

WCP3757

Letter (WCP3757.3669)

[1]

NEW UNIVERSITY CLUB,

ST JAMES’S STREET,

S.W.

[1883 Apl. 22]1

Dear Mr. Huxley2

The V. C.3 at Cambridge cannot come on Wednesday and I hear the Duke4 is at Holker, so that altho’ V. C. has telegraphed to him I think it is 10 to 1 he will not come. It has suddenly flashed across me that Wallace is a man whom it wd. be gracious to ask to be a pall bearer.5 What do [2] you think. The only objection I know of is that H. Spencer6 might think it more his place. Personally, (altho’ I fear I am rather ignorant of his writings) I think Wallace more important. Do you know Wallace’s address. Pray give me your candid opinion[.]

[3] I have received telegram from Down which removes all objections to our proceeding. They determined not to consult my mother7 further — rightly I am sure.

Yours sincerely | G. H. Darwin8 [signature]

I have written to Lowell9 & Sir J. H.10 telegraphs consent.

1
In unknown handwriting, "Darwin, G. H." The year should be 1882. The year of Darwin’s passing.
2
Huxley, Thomas Henry (1825-1895). British biologist and author, known as "Darwin's Bulldog".
3
Porter. James (1827-1900). College and university administrator. BA, Cambridge, 1851. Fellow of Peterhouse, 1853; master, 1876-1900. Vice-chancellor of the University of Cambridge, 1881-1884.
4
Cavendish, William George Spencer (1790-1858). 6th Duke of Devonshire; British politician and supporter of natural and cultural history. Served as President of the Horticultural Society of London (1838-58).
5
ARW was a pall-bearer at Darwin’s funeral.
6
Spencer, Herbert (1820-1903). British philosopher, sociologist, and prominent classical liberal political theorist.
7
Darwin (née Wedgwood), Emma (1808-1896). First cousin and wife of Charles Robert Darwin.
8
Darwin, George Howard (1845-1912). Astronomer and mathematician; 2nd son of Charles Robert and Emma Darwin.
9
Lowell, Percival Lawrence (1855-1916). American businessman, author and astronomer.
10
Hooker, Joseph Dalton (1817-1911). British botanist and explorer. Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 1865-85. President of the Royal Society 1873-78.

Editorial information

Status: Draft transcription [Letter (WCP3757.3669)]

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

Revision history

Transcribed by O'Dell, Sandra [2018-08-15] Transcription checked by Chua, Christine [2026-04-18]

Please cite as “WCP3757,” in Beccaloni, G. W. (ed.), Ɛpsilon: The Alfred Russel Wallace Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/wallace/letters/WCP3757