Enclosing instructions by Oldfield Thomas of the British Museum for collecting skins of small mammals with annotated notes from his letter re. collecting skeletons, for Will's use in Colorado if no telegraphy work available, Thomas recommends sending specimens to Gerrard of Camden, London, who would act as agent on commission, giving BM first choice of specimens; Violet going to Germany, European mammals wanted there because so few people collect them; list of instruments needed with sketch of small pliers; Ma (Annie Wallace) and Grandma (Mrs William Mitten) about to return (from Hurstpierpoint?); Electrical Engineer subscriptions.

Letter from William (from USA), incident with cattle; William Greenell Wallace's failure to catch many (small mammals), ARW recommends using a jar or tip-up box trap (illustrated with ink sketch), catching mice in log hut, trying any pine woods for seed and kernel eaters; instructions to get to know local ranchers and ask for details about their mortgages, crops and living; Violet observing teaching in Germany, says it is far better than in England, now staying with Rektor Schulz; young Mr Acland [Ackland?] from England also there to learn German and study education; sending a "Chronicle" containing a letter by Conway about climbing in the Andes, Hard Cash by C. Reade and three photos taken by Miss Casey of the house, one showing altered Summer-house and Loop line path (none present); has given a talk and reading at the house on the Malays for schools; sudden death of Dr Allman; William Greenell Wallace's photos of his hunting trip very good.

William's news (from the USA) that he has moved to better accommodation, ARW thinks the dogs and cats there will keep away any small mammals he wants to catch; sending a paper with news of Conway's ascent of Mount Sorata in the Andes; sending Black's Princess of Thule for William Greenell Wallace's birthday; Tommy Atkins now in a shilling edition; the author of Tomorrow (Ebenezer Howard) has sent his book describing the ideal garden city, good review in The Clarion but ARW fears the plan will be suppressed by speculators; news of Tesla's experiments with wireless telegraphy, claims he will work machinery in Paris by power from Niagara; drains at house being connected, problems, cost and method described; cleverness of "Whatnot" and "Bezique" in the The Clarion; reading Dangles? Old Cockaigne; detailed description of method of digging a trench, with planking diagram, Colonel Nichols says tunnels in India made with box frames (diagram); hopes William has got some skeletons by now. Annie's postscript (unsigned) written at right angles to the text by ARW, on the last page of the first of two folios, sends William birthday and new year greetings, and news of local Christmas shopping; plants in flower; photos from Ananda in Ceylon, hopes he will return alive; sale of Ardmore (house).

Drainage work on house; sale of Dr Allman's house; detailed advice on where William and Mac should go while in America, recommending visit to William's aunt and uncle (Mary and John Wallace) in California, cousin Herbert Assistant Engineer of Southern Railway and may get them work or rail passes; urges William to write a book on his return; recommends Wyckoff's articles on "The Workers" in Scribner's Magazine; birthday and new year greetings.