WCP156

[1]

Parkstone, Dorset.

Dec^r. 9th. 1892

My dear Will¹

I suppose you heard of the Death of the German Boss of the firm — Dr. Werner von Siemens,² last Tuesday. I send you a very interesting little account of his life from the "Daily News."

I hope you will write us another long letter on Sunday giving us an account of this week’s work. I hope you finished the job you had on hand satisfactorily, & that the Manager sees you can do something. We have no news here. Violet³ goes on [2] with her modelling & lessons & I with my gardening & writing as usual. Ma⁴wrote to say she was coming home this week but we have not heard when.

The only novelty here is a Magazine Club. Seven ^Nine of us, each contribute a magazine, & they circulate. We had a meeting at Canon Usherwood’s to arrange it, & wanting a good, new, ^descriptive, & amusing name, we at last fixed on "Parkstone Perambulating Periodicals" which could be known as the P.P.P. [3] But after papers ^(with order ^{of perambulations)} to go in each mag. were printinged — with this heading, some muffs objected to so trivial a name, — & so, to please them, it is struck out and commonplace "Parkstone Magazine Club" substituted. We get the 19^th century, Cornhill, English Illustrated, New Review, Natural Science, Good Words, Contemporary, Magazine of Art, & Fortnightly. So we shall be fairly set up for Periodicals now. Mr. Poulton⁵ came in yesterday with two little books full of the pinhole photo^s he took in France. One book of portraits [4] the other of landscapes & buildings. Some are very good indeed.

We are having sharp frosts about every other night, which make me groan! for my poor plants!

Remember to let me know when the new stamp-album is out, with full particulars. Violet was greatly pleased with your design on envelope — & sketches inside. Thinks you can really sketch a little!!! So go ahead, & improve.

I hope your fellow-medalist is a decent fellow. Tell us something more about him & your "fellow-lodger".

So no more at present, | from your affectionate Pa | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]