WCP73

[1]

Broadstone, Dorset.

March 30th. 1903

My dear Will¹

My old friend Mr. H. E. Dresser² (Naturalist) & connected with some large Iron Companies in the City, & who knows lots of people, has just written to me in answer to a letter, asking if he knew any of the Met. Asylum’s Board, — that Sir William Preece,³ the Government Electrician, is an old friend of his, that he had a long talk with him yesterday, — he (Sir. W. P.) knows all about the post you are applying for, & knows [2] several of the Board, & he told Dresser that he will use all his influence with his friends on the Board in your favour. But he is going abroad very shortly, & Mr. Dresser thinks it better for you to send him all particulars — copy of the advert[isemen]^t for applications, & any other particulars you have, — also statement of your work the last 3 years &c, so that he may take any opportunity that arises to use influence [3] with other persons he may know. All these appointments are decided as much by personal influence (indirect) as by testimonials, — & no doubt many of the others will have such influence who have really no better qualifications than you have.

Mr. Dresser’s address is-

28, Queensborough Terrace

Hyde Park. W.

but you can send me the particulars if you like & I will forward them.

Glad you are coming at Easter. Hope you will get a week.

Your affect. Pa | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]

[in margin] P.S. I have an agreement signed for my book with Chapman & Hall and am hard at work at it.