6 Lena Gardens
Brook Green
W
Dec[embe]r 19th 1909.
Dear Dr Wallace
Will you accept these lines as a Christmas greeting. I have been enormously helped especially in artistic things, but denied[?] to me are the makings of the new theology. Some of my music which I have scored for orchestra[?] myself, is on the Eve [2] of production at St. George’s Hall! with special effects. The work is a "Bridal March" and a fine adjunct will be the bells of lovely tone played by electric contact. I am "desired" to tell you this.
I hope you are well & wish you every blessing for Christmas & the New Year.
Very faithfully yours | Maud V. Hale Fitzgerald [signature]
Status: Draft transcription [Letter (WCP1369.1148)]
For more information about the transcriptions and metadata, see https://wallaceletters.myspecies.info/content/epsilon
[1]1
"The Statue"
Near this grey statue, love, long years ago
You kissed me once, our young hearts beating fast
Nor you, nor I, could then discern the way
Thick strewn with thorns
Thank God! 'tis ever so, or I had lain
Senseless, that day, upon this granite stone
You pressed a kiss upon my youthful brow
So true, so pure, I feel its presence[?] yet,
When mem'ry brings thee back to me, dear love,
Still young, (thou 'rt ever young to me)
Thy dark eyes gaze into the depths of mine — Ah! me!
[2] Is it a treason then, to love thee still?
Treason to love — worse treason to forget —
No! The dear God who made each human heart
And there instilled
Heaven's end and aim — Love Infinite
Attune our soul's acclaim & witness still —
Love only passionate, may fade away
Love that is deep & pure — abides — Immortal!
(Maud V. Hale) [signature]
Status: Draft transcription [Enclosure (WCP1369.1439)]
For more information about the transcriptions and metadata, see https://wallaceletters.myspecies.info/content/epsilon
[1]1
In the "Green Park"
(Midsummer)
Verdant oasis in the granite streets
Wrapped in thy hazy mantle emerald-hued
Restful to weary eye, refreshing to each sense;
We linger here, and, half unconsciously we bless
Those gone before, who gave to rich & poor
Freehold inheritance of this fair site
Laying aside the greed of capital, (to-day so rife)
And giving to God's people all
One foothold still to call their own.
May the Great Verderer of all forests bless
The meditations of the poor Brigade
[2] Who, footsore, dinnerless, survey the beauteous scene
Turning their hearts to know that though unseen
As yet, to mortal eye —
There is indeed, some how, some where
A God of Charity.
Ye who drive by in lazy state
May never hear this song of mine
'Tis to the sad of heart (jetsam & waste
Beneath the Civic wheels of Juggernauts)
Who linger "just a little while"
To breathe the balm of this sweet air,
I bid "God speed" towards their dreary homes
And pray that patience may be granted them, to feel
Less atheist, than they were.
Status: Draft transcription [Enclosure (WCP1369.1440)]
For more information about the transcriptions and metadata, see https://wallaceletters.myspecies.info/content/epsilon
Envelope addressed to "Dr. A. R. Wallace, Old Orchard, Broadstone, Wimborne, Dorset" with stamp, postmarked "LONDON.W.C | 5.45PM | DEC2009A". Notes on back of envelope in ARW's hand read: in pen "Mrs. M. V. Hale Fitzgerald with MSS Verses!" and in pencil "Poet". [Envelope (WCP1369.1438)]
Please cite as “WCP1369,” in Beccaloni, G. W. (ed.), Ɛpsilon: The Alfred Russel Wallace Collection accessed on 29 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/wallace/letters/WCP1369