WCP230

[1]

Parkstone, Dorset

July 3th. [sic] 1892

My dear Violet¹

The meeting was all right. You ought to have been there to hear how I pitched in to Herbert Spencer.² Nobody was there, — no Violet, — no Will,³ — no Sims⁴ — no Jouck! I had a fine day at Kew on Friday, — saw Mr. Thistelton-Dyer⁵ (the Director) who introduced me to Lady Trevor Lawrence & we went through the orchid house together, and they talked Primrose League!! Then I invited myself to lunch with Mr Baker & in consequence Mrs Baker invited me to tea! Mr T. Dyer said I might send in a list of plants I wanted, and I [2] studying my list ever since! I staid the night at Richmond with Mr Bennett,⁶ & next morning to Kew again till 12. Since then I have been watering & working to the melting point — have written an article in "Natural Science"⁷ & have had proofs of "Australasia"⁸ to correct. Auntie Bessie⁹ has been here a fortnight, & we had two fine excursions, the last in a sea-fog to the "waterfall on the sea". We¹⁰had a first rate Breakfast at Kingston on the Hill, as the train to Corfe is now earlier. Soon, I believe Grandpa,¹¹ Grandma,¹² & Rose,¹³ are coming, — and Ma¹⁴ has an invitation to go to Malvern to visit Miss Shaen¹⁵ (the late Mrs Alman’s¹⁶[sic] sister), — but when she will find time to go I don’t know. If you & she [3] like to go anywhere particularly for a holiday, of course you can. I don’t think we can all leave together unless we let the house, & have someone to take care of the garden, — & that will not be this year.

Any study-books you want you can have. Make a list & I will send it to Macmillan, or if you are in no hurry you can get them at Bournemouth. You¹⁷cannot want more Zoology?

I should think it would be a very good thing for you to go for a year to the lady you speak of at Plymouth, as you would be with a friend, & gain experience, & have time to decide what to do afterwards. You shall have [4] £.10 a quarter, for clothes & travelling expenses, till you become independent, so that you need not hurry to get money till you have got experience first. The recommendation & advice of such a lady will be very useful to you. I enclose you a card about Mrs Hardinge Britten’s lecture on Tuesday. Go if you can with Miss Macdonald. She is a wonderful speaker, & well worth hearing.

The kitten is gone to Mrs Marshall-Hall’s¹⁸ to amuse the invalid daughter who is still very ill. I think the bag, for Madame as good as anything, but you can best judge what is useful & what she has not got. You had better get a handsome one. I will send you a sov. [sovereign] towards it.

Your affectionate Papa Alfred R Wallace [signature]

P.S. I hope this is not "measly"! A charming word to teach your infants!!!!!!!