WCP3904

[1]

Broadstone, Wimborne

May 16th. 1906

Sir Joseph Hooker G.C.S.I.¹

My dear Sir Joseph

Ever since the death of my dear friend Richard Spruce² I have hoped that it might be possible to publish whatever Mss. he may have left of his journals, notes & other scientific materials. Owing however to his executor's business not allowing time to examine all the papers, & my own continuing engagements in literary & other work, I have only now been able to obtain [2] from Mr. Matthew B. Slater³ a list of the Mss. material he has been able to examine.

This consists of journals of his more interesting jo voyages — especially that from Tarapoto to the Highlands — and numerous Botanical, Ethnological, Meteorological & other papers as well as more detailed accounts of Santarem, Tarapoto, and some other places at which he resided for considerable periods.

As his writings were all very carefully composed, full of interesting matter and of original observation, I think [3] there must be the materials for an interesting volume. It would of course require careful selection, arrangement and editing, and I shall be glad to know if you think, from what you know of D^r. Spruce's writing, whether any publisher would be likely to undertake it if I edited it.

I believe Spruce wrote fully to your father from S. America, I presume some of these letters were printed. Do you know if these letters & those of Mr. Bentham⁴ still exist?, as they might furnish some interesting matter, & fill [4] up gaps.

I have here the first part of his "Journal" — at Para & Lower Amazon — & find that it is to me, very interesting, & has very much matter not in Bates' or my own books, especially of course the botanical observations. Please give me your unbiased opinion.

Yours very truly | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]