WCP195

[1]

Old Orchard,

Broadstone,

Wimborne

Decr. 2nd. 1908

My dear Will

About a week ago Mrs. Swinton wrote to Ma asking her to send Violet’s¹and your names in full. Mr. Aneurin Williams is a barrister, was a ^great friend of Mr. Swinton’s² and is his Executor. He is also one of the Director’s of the "Garden City Compnany". I had some correspondence with Mr. Aneur[in] Williams about Mr. Swinton’s "Will" on behalf of the L.[and] Nat[ionalisatio]ⁿ [2] of which he is an old member & Vice President, & I must have met him at the Society’s Meetings ten or fifteen years back. So it is clear that Mrs. Swinton has sent you & Violet the shares and it will only be necessary to write & thank her for them. Violet is going to do so.

This morning the "Copley" Medals³ came Gold, and the Silver, smaller than any of the others but very beautifully designed — the face has Copley's ^{the R[oyal]. Society!} Arms — with Copley’s⁴ name and "Dignissimo" — & My name below. The reverse [3] is the Royal arms.

By same post came a letter from the Lord Chancellor’s Office informing me, to my great relief, that the King, had been graciously pleased to dispense with my personal attendance at the Investiture — and stating that I should shortly be informed "of the manner in which the your Grant of Dignity and the Insignia of the Order will be conveyed to you."

This is evidently an important matter! The King may bring it ^{or them}, himself. or may order me to go to Crichel — which, I dare say I can manage, though [4] I had rather be spared either of them.

I am sorry you are not getting on quicker. As the ^2nd. month is nearly up I enclose a cheque for the 3rd. as Violet tells me you don’t think of coming home at ‘Xmas.

I now feel quite myself again, even better than before my illness, though not quite so strong, as the weather is too foggy to go out much. I eat a fair breakfast now, which I think is rather better for my stomach.

I have begun writing my Lecture & hope to get on ste^adily with it now.

Your affectionate Pa | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]