WCP7227

[1]¹

Parkstone, Dorset.

Dec^r.. 21st. 1892

Dear Dr. Masters

I have much pleasure in sending you the Memorial signed. A letter I wrote to Mr. Churchill on the subject was shown to Dyer,² & by him shown to Shaw Lefevre,³ — in which, while stating reasons for not opening the Gardens earlier to the public I strongly urged the simultaneous opening of the Museums & North Gallery at noon, against which there can be no objections whatever [1 word illeg.] of the small extra [2] cost of supervision. I wish that had also been included in the Memorial, as it would have shown that botanists are thoughtful of the public (who, it must be remembered pay for the Gardens) as well as of themselves. I told Mr. Churchill I would not sign the Memorial unless this were included, & I only do so now because I know my protest has come before the First Commissioner.

It is simply a cruel piece of red-tapeism to shut up [3] all the places of shelter in the Gardens during the first hour.

Many thanks for your interesting papers on the Conifers. I read[?] the lecture with much pleasure & the Catalogue is very useful for reference.⁴

Believe me | Yours very faithfully | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]

Dr. M.T. Masters F.R.S.