WCP1814

[1]

Old Orchard,

Broadstone,

Wimborne.

Jan[uar]y 6th. 1909

My dear Dresser

I am very sorry you are taking so much trouble about the numbers of Bird Species. I have already, I find, much more materials than I can use in my Lecture — more even than I can include in it when published in the "Fortnightly"¹ — as I hope it will be. But I have the idea of ^a book floating in my mind, of which this "Lecture" will form the rudiment of the first portion; and [2] in that, I shall probably be able to include all the fa great facts of distribution of organisms that will help to elucidate the subject. But that book if it gets written at all, will occupy me a full year.

As to the time of my coming to you, my only doubt is whether to come by an early or late train on the Friday. If you would let me know what are your regular meal-hours it might help me to decide. At this time of year I could not stay more than one night, as I cannot stand much (or any) sight-seeing or visiting, [3] and I am miserable away from home, where I can find the exact amount of rest & occupation — (in my books, writing, questions[?] & garden) that suits me.

I may say that I cannot take anything in the way of a late dinner, my usual meal at 7— or 7.30 being a roast apple a cup of milk & a snippet of toast!

My only solid meal is about 1 to 2 ^pm. — mostly very well-cooked & tender meat.

I mention these things in order that you may not invite anybody to meet me at dinner on the Friday, as that would probably tire me out before the lecture. If you wish anyone specially to meet me ask them [4] to breakfast or lunch on the Saturday.

Excuse all this bother but the lecture is a very serious matter for me, & I do not want to break down in it, though I expect, anyhow, only to deliver a part — Crookes² reading the rest.

Yours very truly | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]