WCP25

[1]

Parkstone, Dorset.

Nov^r.. 14th. 1900

My dear Will¹

I never expected you to go to Silchester from Oxford, but I am glad you saw it. The wall must be grand, and it is strange that it has stood so long, but I suppose it was too hard to pull down, and no doubt there were, for hundreds of years, remains of houses baths & temples which were used by the people round for building.

I am rather disappointed about the Compton house, as there must be views to be had down the valley nearly due south — and the beautiful ground ^gardens & shady walks you do not say anything about. However we live & learn, and I begin to think that houses with [2] decent views are about 1 in a thousand, and that they are so appreciated that they are never vacant. To make sure about the other house near Beaconsfield I wrote at once to the occupier ^{of the} house (who is the owner) and asked him to tell me what view there is from the sitting rooms, & how far it extends. There is a better chance here, as the map shows it upon a little knoll just over 400 ft. above s. [sea] level, & the ground to the south half a mile off about 300 ft., while Beaconsfield, about 1 1/2 miles off, is ^{on a small hill} about 350, and beyond that a slope down to the valley of the Thames. Also² it is described as being in a small “park”, & this park is shown on the ordance map south and S. East of the house, and it is sure to look over its own park! To the north there is first a descent, & then a mile off a hill a ridge over 500 ft., so that unless it is stuck in by trees (which [3] could be cleared away) I don’t see how it can help having a fair view. However, as soon as I get his reply I will write to you, & if at all promising, send the order and map. Even if it is suits us, however, I fear it will not for Carter, being more than double the price per acre he generally gives; and he is afraid it would remain too long on hand. But even if he will not try it, I may get some other capitalist, either perhaps Mr. Tebb, who has had ^bought many estates to sell at a profit, and I consider this to be a certain good speculation, being so near London close of ^to a first class railway ^(making). & in a very beautiful & healthy district — chalk subsoil.

I return you the article on the Badbury diggings with a lot of notes. You must consider these carefully, and then rewrite it, [4] and with the photographs you can supply I should think it would exactly suit Pearson’s or Cassell’s. You might take your camera to Silchester first, and get good pictures of the wall, which must be a wonderful thing; and would illustrate the opening page or two of description of this Roman town. You might enquire at all the second-hand book shops you pass for the book as "Roman Britain", as that would give you facts to make a few picturesque sentences. People in general know so very little of this subject, that it would be quite a revelation to most readers. And your diggings would show ^them how easy it is to find Roman remains & dig up Romand & British coins almost anywhere!

Your affectionate Pa | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]