WCP215

[1]

Parkstone, Dorset.

Nov[embe]^r. 22nd. 1890

My dear Violet

We were rather alarmed about the outbreak of diptheria in Croydon but suppose as we have not heard that you do did not catch it. We are going on slowly but steadily with our new buildings and are in an awful mess in the garden which I have so transmogrified that you will hardly know it again. The roof is now on the back porch & the floors down, & they have just begun tiling over the new drawing room today. I hope we may get the use of the new kitchen & dining room before you come home.

[2] On Monday Dec.[ember] 1^st. I am to be dragged up to London again because that stupid Royal Society are so idiotic as to give me another medal — I expect it will be a brass one this time, but I do not know yet. I send you an extraordinary prophecy by a wonderful mediumistic friend of mine in America — a lady. — She agrees in many respects with that in the "Arena" by D[octo]^r. Buchanan which I think you read. Be sure & send or bring this back with you.

[3] I have written my two articles on Ghosts for the "Arena" which I think will stir up the "Psychical Research" people a little. They will, I expect, come out in the January & February numbers.

We have called on two new people the Ricketts & the Middermans! at the two ^new houses towards the Pottery, — and today an old gentleman, Capt[ai]ⁿ. Rough, called on me, who had been in Singapore, Java, and Celebes before I was there, & seems [4] a rather nice old cove.

I lent Mr. Sharpe "Huck Finn"¹ & when it came back I took it up & began reading it & can’t stop & am nearly through. I have also read the "French Revolution" (yours) all through ^{(second time)}. It is really wonderful! It is all a series of sketchy hints & fantastic bits of pictures, & yet you get from the whole a better idea of that wonderful & awful time than any straight-forward description could give. The Chapter on "Charlotte Corday" is splendid & sublime; — & so is the end.

Your affectionate Papa | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]