WCP264

[1]

Parkstone, Dorset

June 2^nd. 1895

My dear Violet¹

I have not forgotten you, but I have been very busy. You seem to forget the Exams. Our last meeting was last Monday. After it I went to Witley for the night, & next day we chose orchids & other plants, & packed them in a basket & a huge box. I did not get away till 4 pm. & got home at 1/2 past 9 at night. Next day, just as I was unpacking & getting them in order, a gentleman called & brought me a small basket of orchids from Barmah!² They [2] were horribly dried & shrivelled but perhaps a few of them may recover. The rest of the week I have been very busy-letters, report on Skauis[?], garden, cleaning & potting orchids &c. &c. &c. so that I have not even had time to look at a book! Will³ is rather anxious about his doings when his time is up. He hopes they will keep him on, and if they do he will not ask for a holiday so long as there is any particular work going on, so he does not think he can go [on] a walking tour with you. Aunt Bessie⁴ has just written to Ma⁵ to ask if she will go [3] to France with her. I suggest Switzerland instead & I believe they will go to Lucerne by the Polytechnic[?] tours which are wonderfully cheap. To Lucerne and back with a week there £5.5, — and lots of excursions & extensions at a moderate rate. I do not know yet whether Bessie can go for a week or a fortnight. They go every Friday through the summer.

I send you a copy of my Address on the Unemployed. You can give it away or I will send a copy to any one who wants it. [4] I enclose you a £5 note to go on with. If you let me know soon the exact ^total cost of your Fees, lodgings, &c. &c. I will send you the balance. I meant to send you £10 but I forgot that Monday was bank holiday. Let us know your address as soon as you are in London.

If fine on Monday we are going [on] a little excursion with the Bournemouth Botanical Club to the hills beyond Blandford.

Kind remembrances to Eleanor.

Your affectionate Pa | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]