WCP1301

[1]

Frith Hill, Godalming,

March 14^th. 1888

My dear Fanny¹,

We do not think much of the flowers and do not think they will sell. Those kind of things were done ages ago and I doubt if you will find a dozen people to give 1 shilling²each for them. The one that looks the best is the Lilium auratum.³ As for rare flowers who would care for them in stereoscopes. They are done every week for the Horticultural Journals. Pray do not think of wasting your time on them.

Annie⁴says so[?] & I think she is quite right — that the things to sell are something simple & domestic that every one can understand & enjoy. Find a pretty little laughing girl or boy, & take [2] her or him in all sorts of positions & funny attitudes. A pretty kitten to make up little scenes with a few domestic utensils. Those kind of pictures would be more likely to sell than anything else, — & cocos[?] in the stereoscope would be very effective. As for selling these flowers here it is hopeless. You might write to Flora Matthew[?] and ask her if she will have a lot of stereoscopes & a set of the slides to sell on Commission. Having a shop into which scores of people come daily she might sell some if they saleable. But it seems to me that Mr. Kilburn is stupid to send so many abroad without descriptions to [3] make them intelligible. Two you have sent me are called

4414. "On the shifting unstabled[?] sands we stand."

4579. "The Mountain Boys Reception."

How can any English person know what they mean, where they are, or feel any interest in them?

I am sorry to hear about poor little May’s[?] illness. I will write to him[?].

The "Spanish Bayonet"⁵ is a yucca and s[houl]^d have been cream colour, not yellow. The wreaths are evidently artificial flowers & I s[houl]^d think few people would give them 2^d each for them. If Flora will have them I will send them on to her when Bessie⁶ comes or some of them:

I hope the winter is gone now. [4] We have Crocusses[sic] and snowdrops in plenty at last. Hoping you are quite well now.—

Believe me | Your Affectionate Brother | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]

P.S. I am writing to hear from Mrs. Clutsom’s⁷ son, who has undertaken to try to get something for Mary⁸, but I am afraid he will not succeed.

Alfred [signature]