From: WHI Bleek (18 September 1868)

From: WHI Bleek (18 September 1868)

Correspondence

A letter in English from Wilhelm Bleek to Mr DJ May, sent from Cape Town on 18 September 1868. In another letter to his cousin Ernst Haeckel, also dated 18 September, Bleek recommended May as a contact due to his new role as commander of a sea-floor survey vessel, suggesting he could assist Haeckel in acquiring sea-floor specimens for his research. In this letter, Bleek introduces Haeckel to May, appeals for his help and outlines Haeckel's credentials, including his ties to Darwin and Huxley. Bleek explains Haeckel's need for materials of the type likely to be collected by May's ship and promises that Haeckel will soon write to him. Bleek then updates May on Cape affairs and his progress on the second part of his "Comparative Grammar", mentioning his hope to visit Europe and see May again, though his plans remain uncertain.

18 September 1868

Wilhelm Bleek (letter to DJ May 18 September 1868), Ernst Haeckel (in letter to DJ May from Wilhelm Bleek 18 September 1868), letter (Wilhelm Bleek's to DJ May 18 September 1868), DJ May (Mr), A Comparative Grammar of South African Languages (Wilhelm Bleek working on second part)