WCP4210

Letter (WCP4210.4275)

[1]

Parkstone, Dorset.

Nov[ember] 2nd. 1890

T.D. A Cockerell Esq.1

Dear Sir

I wish you success in your application for the Plymouth post, but I apprehend that it will be given to a person who has passed some biological examinations with exceptional success and can obtain good testimonials from the Professors under whom he studied.

I know not whether you are prepared with these, but if not [2] I am afraid you have no chance.

Ray Lankester2 being one of the most influential men in the association will insist on thorough training in the physiology and morphology of marine animals, & the man he recommends — probably one of his own pupils—will be elected.

While feeling now that my general remarks will have no weight you are at liberty to use anything I have [3] said, or perhaps the enclosed few lines will do better.

Believe me│Yours faithfully│ Alfred R. Wallace — [signature]

1
Theodore Dru Alison Cockerell (1866-1948) entomologist.
2
Sir Edwin Ray Lankester (1847-1921) zoologist.

Editorial information

Status: Draft transcription [Letter (WCP4210.4275)]

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

Revision history

Transcribed by Royce, Isobel [2012-09-17] Transcription checked by Catchpole, Caroline [2013-01-15]

Transcription (WCP4210.5306)

[1]

Parkstone, Dorset,

Nov. 2nd. 1890.

T.D.A.Cockerell1, Esq.,

Dear Sir:

I wish you success in your application for the Plymouth post, but I apprehend that it will be given to a person who has passed some biological examinations with exceptional success and can obtain good testimonials from the Professors under whom he studied. I know not whether you are prepared with these, but if not I am afraid you have no chance.

Ray Lankester2 being one of the most influential men in the Association will insist on thorough training in the physiology and morphology of marine animals, and the man he recommends — probably one of his own pupils — will be elected.

While feeling sure that my general remarks will have no weight you are at liberty to use anything I have said, or perhaps the enclosed few lines will do better.

1
Cockerell, Theodore Dru Alison (1866-1948). American zoologist.
2
Lankester, Edwin Ray (1847-1929). British zoologist.

Editorial information

Status: Draft transcription [Transcription (WCP4210.5306)]

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

Revision history

Transcribed by Siewert, Betsy [2019-12-17]

Please cite as “WCP4210,” in Beccaloni, G. W. (ed.), Ɛpsilon: The Alfred Russel Wallace Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/wallace/letters/WCP4210