WCP2568

[1]

The Spectator Office

1 Wellington Street

Strand, London W. C.

12 Oct 1877

Dear Wallace,

I enclose a letter for you.

I should much like to try that experiment with my ^locked[?] slate. But certainly my impressions of Monck¹ had not been at all favourable & I don't want to be mixed up in another trial?

[2] Still I should much like to try a 2nd experiment in print if you will join me in it.

I suppose you are quite sure that the faint inking you describe, was not there after you cleaned the slate (& of course before it too). It's being so faint suggests this is possible. In that case it could be said that Monck and his will to influence [3] your mind as to what the word should be & how it should be written.

This is the only explanation I can think of which could cover the facts & put rest on the ground of imposture.

Believe me | dear Wallace | your's v truly | Richard H Hutton² [signature]

[4]²