WCP194

[1]

Old Orchard,

Broadstone,

Wimborne

Novr. 6th. 1908

My dear Will

I have this morning got a letter from you doctor — Douglas Wood — I suppose the Boss — giving a Journal report of your progress — which seems very good — & it reminded me that a month was up so I enclose next month’s cheque which please hand to Steward. Please thank him for the Report for me.¹

I am glad to say I am very [2] much better — but still weak. I am feeding up carefully, & hope soon to be able to begin writing my lecture, of which I have sketched the outline. they write to me yesterday for the Title (to announce the Lectures of the coming season) & I had just decided on it. It is —

The World of Life: as Visualised and Interpreted by Darwinism.

[3] I think that will be attractive, & I am pretty sure I can make it interesting & to some extent novel.

The wood fence is up [and] complete but not quite finished as to struts which I cannot yet get out to see about; it is so dreadfully damp up there even when sunny. But it is now strong enough to stand gales.

I have only just got proof of Index of proof of Spruce²! nearly 6 weeks after I sent [4] them the Mss., so I fear the book cannot be out much before ‘Xmas.

I have begun reading the "Yellow Room" — & am about the middle. It is in the true French style of Gaboriau³ & others, of which I have read many, almost equally complex and perhaps more interesting. I do not consider it equal to the best of S[herlock]. Holmes⁴! The style is too jerky, & the endless new complications rather forced.

We have decided that "O.M.⁵" means "Old Man"!

Your affectionate Pa | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]

P.S. I am sending Benham the book today, with your suggested inscription a little modified. A.R.W [signature]