WCP1345

Letter (WCP1345.1124)

[1]

180 Barnet Grove

London St

Hackney Road

[March 1863.]1

Mr Chadwick2 regrets to learn that Mr Wallace has not received his phrenograph3 which was certainly sent by the same post as that of Mr Silk4. Mr C[hadwick] distinctly recollects the circumstance of both descriptions being written at one sitting as the contrasts of character were striking. He has now however, no trace of the original [2] outlines and cannot therefore write another delineation. He recollects also that both gentlemen displayed a high degree of culture in the expression of their countenances and much trouble was taken over their phrenology in consequence; that of Mr Wallace evincing smaller animal, physical, and critical powers than Mr Silk[']s, but larger perceptive faculties and social, reverential, perceptive and benevolent sentiments.5 [3]6 Mr. C[hadwick] could not take the same trouble over any subsequent phrenographs of the same parties as the freshness of feeling which dictated the former ones would be gone and he writes these things more as pleasure than a toil as they do not pay even for the time bestowed on them.

"March 1863." is added by a later hand in the top lefthand corner of page 1.
Chadwick, William Henry (1829-1908). Chartist, phrenologist, mesmerist and actor. Imprisoned for sedition and conspiracy as a leader of the Chartist movement in 1848.
A description of a person's mental faculties and character based on phrenological examination.
Silk, George Charles (1822-1910). Friend of ARW since childhood; secretary to the Archdeacon of Middlesex.
A pencil line runs in the lefthand margin of page 2 from "of Mr Wallace" to " benevolent sentiments".
The text from " Mr. C[hadwick]" to " bestowed on them" is written in the lefthand margin of page 2.

Please cite as “WCP1345,” in Beccaloni, G. W. (ed.), Ɛpsilon: The Alfred Russel Wallace Collection accessed on 27 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/wallace/letters/WCP1345