WCP1565

[1]]

Old Orchard,

Broadstone,

Dorset.

Dec: 24th 1911.

My dear Miss Macdonald¹

Many thanks for your kind present of G. K. Chesterton’s little book which I see, from the "Contents" that I shall read with the greatest pleasure. Taking it up this evening although somewhat tired & not very well, & with a great deal to do, [2] I began at the beginning & could not put it down till I had read "Charlotte Brontë". I have since I read "Jane Eyre" the second or third time come to rank her as the first (or almost the first) of the novel-writers of the 19th century: — & I was delighted to see that Chesterton seems to agree with me, but for such deep & fantastic reasons of his own that I should never have imagined. [3] I shall read all the others now with equal interest, as 7 of them are my chief favourites & G.C.K. [sic] will probably tell me why?

With best wishes for the festive season[.]

Believe me | Yours very Sincerely & affectionately | Alfred R. Wallace.²

P.T.O. [4] The book was a collection of Essays by Chesterton but I forget the title. E. M.[?].