WCP228

[1]

[in unknown hand] V.G. | all 7

Parkstone, Dorset.

May 20th. 1892

My dear Violet¹

I have been almost chawed up with work. Letters innumerable, Examinations² in preparation,- hundreds of primroses from Miss Jekyll³ & a struggle to save their innocent lives,- last Tuesday at Godalming ransacking the garden, lots of treasures, not all planted out yet! Hose & watering pot at work "from morn to dry-ey eve" (as the poet does not say), — catterpillars [sic] at the gooseberries again,! aphis in the greenhouse!! Work, work, work, — till exhausted nature [2] seeks repose upon the sofa! How then could I write? — Hardly could I find time to eat!! Then that other medal! Isn’t it awful! Two medals to receive,- two speeches to make, neatly to return thanks, and tell them in f a polite manner, that I am much obliged, but rather bored!

Programme.

Monday — To London at 12.30. To "Fortnightly" Office. G. Silk,⁴Chapman & Co, (old school fellow) Lunch if they will give me any. 2.30 — Geographical

[3] 3.30 — Medal – speech⁵ — subside gracefully — congratulations from old friends &c. &c.

6.0 Arrive at Aunt Fanny's⁶ to tea. Find you there, (most unexpectedly!) arrange business &c. &c.

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Tuesday morning

Hort. Exhibition — Bull’s Orchids

Afternoon

2.pm. Meeting of Examiner’s till 3.30 — Rush if in Cab to Burlington House — arrive just too late! Medal stolen!! Forged letter telling Council I am ill!! Can’t come!!! Bearer to receive it for me!!!! Such Excitement!!!! Universal Collapse!!!!!!!!

[4] Now you know all about it. Tell Madame it is absolutely necessary for success in Exams. on Wednesday & Thursday, that you have perfect mental rest on Monday & Tuesday. You may teach kids — but nothing more.

Will⁹ has been fighting! with Arthur Hagward — got his lip cut & blacked Arty’s eye! then he climbed up tree in Epping Forest slipped down & barked his leg, — & so on! The kitten is getting too bumptious! Our Azaleas & Rhododendrons looking fine, but dry winds soon spoil flowers.

Your affectionate Papa | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]