WCP1663

Recollections of the late Dr Alfred Russell Wallace.¹

My² first acquaintance with Dr Wallace was ^{in the early eighties} at a drawing room meeting at 30 Woburn Place, London. We were not long in finding a topic of mutual interest. It was the subject of rational sewage disposal — primarily of London. A rather strange subject, some will say, but not so to a naturalist keenly interested in human welfare.

I had very successfully experimented during a course of years in the agricultural end of the business and found that considerable financial advantage resulted from the adoption of certain methods, the essential condition being the complete absorbtion of the excrement by t least five times its bulk of suitable earth and the subsequent oxidisation of the compound for several months prior to its application to the soil. It was then eminently suitable for the fertilisation of crops intended for the consumption of graminivorous animals, especially hay crops.

It was highly satisfactory to meet with the approval of so eminent a man, for Dr Wallace explained that the proper rotation of matter required the use of human excrement only for fertilising soil for crops to be used for the food of graminivorous animals and the use of the excrement of such animals to fertilise the ground used for producing human food. He was keen on the ^{recognized a} wise provision of Nature fulfilling these requirements in the presence of the sandy flats of Essex near the London outfall works.

Human welfare — the increase of the happiness of his fellow creatures was the key note to the Doctor's Life. Science was his handmaid for this purpose. He was a pure scientist first, never led away from facts by any preconceived notions. He was no special pleader, but when the facts had led to a correct ddduction [sic], his faith in some ultimate approach to the solution of the riddles of the Universe led him to then see how each fresh discovery was another step towards the goal.

D_r Wallace had a keen sense of humour which prevented him from becoming a cynic. It was a source of sorrow to him that each new discovery and invention was so soon absorbed by the wealthy classes as an addition to their diversions or comfort; that there was rarely any effort to apply an invention to the general welfare except where it facilitated a fresh [2] 2. exploitation of the masses.

Talking on this point theme I instanced the automobile and thinking to suggest confirmation of his view said that it had been estimated that there were only one hundred thousand persons in the British Isles who could afford the luxury. He humourously tripped me up by rejoining that "a very great many people who cannnot afford the luxury will nevertheless acquire automobiles." Experience has proved him right.

Mrs Wallace shared this saving grace of humour, of which many instances might be mentioned. One evening about eight o'clock whilst the Doctor had stepped into the library for some reference she softly asked me to stay another hour which would then make it too late for him to resume work, as in her opinion he had already done enough for that day and ought to retire to rest early.

T_hose who had the privilege of taking afternoon tea at his home could witness the brewing of a private cup of tea by the Doctor himself at a separate table. We all enjoyed the spectacle and the Doctor was quite glad that we should do so.

I never saw his equanimity ruffled but once and that was by the unexpected visit of a local clergyman during one of those cosy tea hours soon after he had moved to Old Orchard.

Besides the Doctor and Mrs Wallace and Miss Wallace there were two or three other persons present and all was going well when the Rev[eren]d gentleman was ushered in. Those who knew the Doctor were aware that quite regardless of social position or creed he had always welcomed anyone who was a genuine enquirer after truth in matters where his knowledge was so valuable, but he hated to be lionised by people who merely sought his acquaintance because of his distinguished name. Apparently the Rev[eren]d gentleman had somehow come under the latter category, for it became apparent that his visit was not welcome. By nature ^{natural disposition} our host could not be anything but courteous, so he ^personally place[d] a chair for the new arrival, introduced him unusually rapidly to each one present, offered him refreshment, hurried off to the library and fetched the book the borrowing of which was an excuse for the call and asked if [3] 3. any other book were desired. Throughout the interview the Doctor talked faster than was his wont, dealing with each item of conversation strictly on its merits as appersonal [sic] matter between the new visitor and his host, the rest of the company being ignored for the moment. It was like separating a steer from the herd in a round up. Soon all topics were exhausted and the Rev[eren]d gentleman rose to go with excuses for departure so soon. With studied politeness the Doctor personally conducted him to the door of the house. When hie he returned his smile came with him and we resumed when we had left off and his speech slacked to its usual pleasant pace. With a twinkle in his eye he remarked to me aside "What did that man want to call for? And why did he want to apologise for not calling before? I object to be regarded as some strange animal."

Amongst the many distinguished men who from time to time sought out the great naturalist was the Hon. Auberon Herbert³, the well known advocate of extreme individualism. He had been discussing his theory of voluntary taxation as alone consistent with perfect freedom of the individual.

The Doctor whilst willing to concede the validity of many of the arguments pointed out that the absolutely necessary validity of many of the arguments pointed out that the absolutely necessary condition of perfect individualism was a complete abolition of the power of bequest — the power of fettering unborn persons — in order that every individual might start life on an equal footing. This was undoubtedly the inspiration of the initial clause of the American Declaration of Independence of the United States of America "The self evident truth that all men are created equal." In no other respect could men be created equal. The result of starting on an equal footing would be that the best would inevitably come to the front instead of being handicapped by having their course blocked by the fortunate.

In all my intercourse with the late Dr Wallace nothing impressed me more forcibly than his consistent belief in the futility of all remedial measures in the face of ^the initial unfairness of placing one person at birth in the position of the creditor and another in the position of debtor, which is the result of fixing the ownership of property before birth, instead of by subsequent competition. He clearly saw that so long as one person is started in life at a point far beyond the wildest hopes of attainment of another it is impossible to attain true individualism. The reason we find so many [4] 4. important individualists in the ranks of the socialists is because they go as far as the socialists in advocating the only true equality possible — the equality of ^initial income, or some approach to it. They realise that they cannot under present conditions of handicap develope their individuality as it oug ought to be developed.

"Abolish the power — or rather privilege — Of bequest, let everyone start in the race of life under equal conditions and there would be but the slenderest ground for discontent A man does not grumble when he is beaten in a fair race, but he is naturally discontented when he is not only deprived of his breakfast but required to perform a heavy task before the race, and then finds that his antagonist has been well fed, thoroughly rested and allotted two hundred yards start in the mile."

The Hon. Auberon Herbert was unable to refute this argument.

People often miss the main point, said the Doctor, by enquiring how the dependents of a man or woman would be provided for in such a case and how research would be endowed &c. Obviously provision would be made, of right, out of the vast common fund resulting from the accumulations of the precediing generation which are at present earmarked for a few favoured persons ins instead of being used for the common good. Such a condition as want would then be unknown. There would be nom unemployed, no one lacking opportunity and no hereditary millionaires. If a man could honestly become a millionaire under such conditions during his own lifetime he would be free to carry out that ambition but his son starting from scratch would have to demonstrate an equal ability in order to occupy the same place.

The Doctor showed how a mere automatic increase of the present Death Duties by one or two percent per annum would effect this desirable result without dangerous disturbance of existing conditions. That certain dishonest individuals would in some degree prevent the complete fulfilment of the result is no argument against the efficiency of the law. All laws are open to the same objection. None entirely fulfil what they aim at, but they get a long way towards it, and surely that is worth while.

Rowland Estcourt [signature]

Envelope addressed to "Mr W. G. Wallace, Old Orchard, Broadstone, Dorset, England", with stamps, postmarked "SAN FRANCISCO CAL | MAY 7 | 130AM". A pencil note is written in W. G. Wallace's hand on front of envelope: "Estcourt on ARW". [Envelope (WCP1663.1538)]