WCP251

[1]

Parkstone, Dorset.

June 24th3rd. 1894

My dear Violet¹

I enclose Mrs Fisher’s² card — so that she will not come after all. I & Grandpa³went to a Geological Excursion to Bournemouth last Wednesday to see the leaf-beds, & yesterday we went to Swanage & on the Downs, but it was a sea-fog & not very pleasant.

At last I have found there are four good chess-players here so we shall have some fights in the autumn & winter.

This afternoon we had a grand [2] tournament. Mr. Carter brought Mr. Blake, a young man who is a first-rate player, & he played me, Mr. Carter & Mr. Curtis (the lawyer) at the same time, & beat us all easily, except the first game with me, when he lost his queen by an oversight at the beginning & then very nearly beat me — but not quite, so I was the only one who won a game!!

I sent you the Clarion on account of the pretty baby verses I thought you would like. Of course it is a rather commonplace paper [3] but there is always some good article or story in it by the Editor, & the first page, if you read it carefully through is always amusing & witty, and has also a good deal of very clever satire & common-sense. I am getting to like it & to see how it amuses & instructs the working men.

I believe your Aunt Flora⁴ is coming next week, & after her Rose^{5 Bessie6} & then I & Ma⁷ are going for a week to Devonshire, to get ferns & see the oranges and lemons [4] all a-growing & a-blowing in the open air!

Two of my American friends — geologists, are coming to England in the summer — about August — and will probably come & stay with us for a few days.

I have several new socialistic & other books. We have just heard that Miss Harrison cannot possibly be here when you are. Ma will tell you all about that — or Miss H. herself. I am trying to get a subject for a new article for Harris⁸ but have not begun writing it yet. As it is Midsummer I send you £5. for the next Quarter.

Your affectionate Pa | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]