Parkstone, Dorset
Dec[embe]r. 14th.1894
My dear Violet1
Mrs Maclachlan arrived here on Monday with her boy Hamish — a rather jolly & clever looking kid of 4½ — We gave them a bed, & on Tuesday she took lodgings at a house in the Upper Road going towards Sandecotes. The rain it raineth every day, here — and to day it has not ceased one minute all day long. Miss Macdonald is expected I believe tomorrow or Monday. It is to be hoped the rain will have all come down before ‘Xmas, so that you have some fresh air then.
[2] I have put the two Kindergarten books, & a few others of general information, & I have a few new books of interest. I have had so much to do in [the] garden & Greenhouse, & with letters etc. since my eyes got better, that I have only just now been able to try & finish my article on Language etc.
Did I tell you that Harris has given up the Fortnightly2, which I am rather sorry for as I am afraid the new Ed[itor] is a mere literary man. My last article which was ready & corrected for the [3] October number is not out yet! There is a rumour that Harris3 has bought the Saturday Review4 & is going to edit it himself.
There is a very large Nursery — John Cowan & Co — at Garston about 4 miles south of Liverpool where they have immense quantities of orchids. You might go there and see them some Saturday when you want a little excursion.
Ma5 is going to Hurst next Monday, I believe, to her Ma’s6 golden Wedding feast, & will return I suppose in time for our ‘Xmas feast. The only person I can think of asking is Mr. C. Reid;7 — but [4] I expect he will [one word illeg.] in London before then.
I have really no more news of any kind — so farewell for the present,
from your affectionate Pa | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]
Status: Draft transcription [Letter (WCP258.258)]
For more information about the transcriptions and metadata, see https://wallaceletters.myspecies.info/content/epsilon
Please cite as “WCP258,” in Beccaloni, G. W. (ed.), Ɛpsilon: The Alfred Russel Wallace Collection accessed on 30 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/wallace/letters/WCP258