My life : a record of events and opinions - Wallace-online.org

2i8MY LIFESeven years later, in 1878, when Epping Forest hadbeen acquired by the Corporation of London, a superintendentwas to be appointed to see to its protectionand improvement while preserving its " natural aspect "in accordance with the Act of Parliament whichrestored it to the public. This position would havesuited me exactly, and if I had obtained it and hadbeen allowed to utilize the large extent of openunwooded land in the way I suggested in my articlein the Fortnightly Review ("Epping Forest, and howbest to deal with it "), an experiment in illustration ofthe geographical distribution of plants would havebeen made which would have been both unique andeducational, as well as generally interesting. Iobtained recommendations and testimonials from thepresidents of all the natural history societies in London,from numerous residents near the forest and inLondon, from many eminent men and members ofParliament—seventy in all ;but the City merchantsand tradesmen with whom the appointment laywanted a " practical man " to carry out their ownideas, which were to utilize all the open spaces forgames and sports, to build a large hotel close to QueenElizabeth's hunting lodge, and to encourage excursionsand school treats, allowing swings, round-abouts, andother such amusements.My failure to obtain the post at Epping Forestwas certainly a disappointment to me, but I aminclined to think now that even that was really forthe best, since it left me free to do literary workwhich I should certainly not have done if I had hadpermanent employment so engrossing and interestingas that at Epping. In that case I should not have goneto lecture in America, and should not have written" Darwinism," perhaps none of my later books, and