WCP179

[1]

Broadstone, Dorset.

June 30th. 1903

My dear Will¹

To save time I send you now the four last chapters, as I expect to receive the 4 I sent you in a day or two.

No doubt as you say — Chap. VI. & VII.² are somewhat heavy, — but a book can hardly be made all through as bright as an article. The later chapters however I hope you will find better, and the last four I now send I hope are up to the mark.

I have adopted most of your suggestions. Parts of my descriptions are somewhat vague — as of the Sun — because exactly what the different envelopes are — called chromosphere, corona, prominences &c.. is still more or less doubtful..

The point about the light-ratio of [2] the stars, I was puzzled about myself. At first I thought I had a quite distinct & conclusive argument — then I thought it was the same as the preceeding [sic] one — the decreasing numbers of stars of higher mag. [magnification] Then again I thought it was all right. But as you think it fallacious (as to the possible obscuration of light not coming in) I have cut all that part out, and not made anything particular of it.

The point about law of gravitation inside a cluster is the same as inside a solid sphere, if the cluster is uniform in density from center to circum. wh. of course it is not. So I have altered the wording. Inside the earth, if a pit were dug to centre and balls suspended say 100 miles apart — all would revolve at same irregular velocity [3] otherwise the whole interior of every planet would be in a state of rotational strain.

Mr. Marshall³ has kindly offered to read over the proofs, as he says he has plenty of spare time now, till the holidays. No doubt he will spot some more weakness & fallacies.

Would you like to read the proofs also at same time more carefully. I am going to have 4 copies of proof sent me — & then I could compare your and Marshall’s final suggestions?

Of course this book has been written much too quickly to be first rate. I ought to have had a full year about it — but neither I nor the publishers could wait so we must make it as well good [4] as we can, & then when it is well cut up improve it for a new edition.

[pencil mathematical calculations not transcribed]

In haste | Your affectionate Pa | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]