WCP6751

[1] [p. 854]

On the 12th March 1870, the plaintiff wrote and sent the following letter to the defendant:

Swindon, 12th March.

My dear Sir,— You have my full and free permission to consult with the party you name or any other or others that you like, I feel the most entire confidence in your desire to do justice in the case. You must remember it is not like a horse race or billiard match, which, when over is beyond any absolute decision from a second trial. This will, I am sure, be repeated again and again, and were you to award me the money and send me your cheque, you cannot suppose I should feel justified in keeping it if in the following week or month I should be convinced that your decision had proved erroneous? And I believe Mr. Wallace would act in the same manner towards me. If he did not, his reputation would be injured far beyond the value of 500l. By the wording of the agreement, Mr. Wallace undertook to prove the convexity of the earth by the measurement of the Bedford Level. Any fallacious appearances, even if admitted by us, would not entitle him to a verdict in the opinion of the public. For instance, if Mr. Carpenter¹ and I acknowledge that Mr. W had shown a curvature between the two bridges, and we could also show that those curvatures would appear every five or six miles, this would overthrow Mr.W.'s theory quite as much or more than if we proved a flat. Mr. W. has undertaken to prove a curvature and not a series of curves. Get your mind clear on this point, and I do not fear the result. I have not the slightest wish to impose on Mr. W. the task of a second trial, there will be plenty who will not approve of any verdict you can give, and whatever it may be you will not be left long unsupported or contradicted; thanking you very much for the pains you have and are taking. I am, &c.,

John Hampden.