WCP181

[1]

Broadstone, Dorset.

Feb^y 20th. 1904

My dear Will¹

I have now begun the "Recollection"² and have written Chap. 2 — on Usk and I think it will do fairly well. I wrote this first because I had all the materials in my head.

I now am beginning Chap. I. — on My Relations and Ancestors, and I find that I have not got the notes you made at Laleham some years ago, and though I seem to have noted the facts down in the form of a genealogy, I have not got all I want.

I have got down William Wallace and George Wallace, as sons of William Wallace. But I do [2] not know, if this is stated on the tombstone, or if this W.W (my great-grandfather) is also buried there.

Also George Wallace’s age & date of death, are not given but I think you said that was because it could not be made out on the stone.

Will you see if you have any note-book with the original notes, or if not let me know what is your recollection of the facts.

I think I told you in my last about the man who claims to have written "Leonainie" [Leonaine] — James Whitcomb Riley³ —. I have [3] now got four small vols. of his poems, ^now publishing in America ^{(12 vols in all!)} and on looking through the whole of them, I feel sure he did not because he could not write it! Besides, he has spoilt it in four places, as you will see when I write on the subject. In next months "Fortnightly", the editor tells me, he will print a letter in favour of Poe⁴ versus Riley. I have written to two ^American Editors & biographers of Poe for more information. It seems likely to turn out a very nice little [4] problem, even if my first solution⁵ (in this months Fortnightly) is not quite correct.

I hope your foot is well. Was it an accident? Foot wounds require ^specially great care & to be thoroughly healed before subjecting ^{the foot} to strain or irritation.

Your affectionate Pa | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]

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