WCP2676

[1]¹

Houndless Water Farm

Haslemere

Sep[tember]. 18^th. [no year]

Dear Mr. Wallace,

I am very much obliged for your kindness in replying so promptly to my letter. I shall read your enclosures very carefully and with — [2] I can answer for it beforehand — deep sympathy in your efforts to redress these glaring evils and abuses.

I cannot feel confident about joining your Society ^{even sh[oul]}d ^{I thoroughly approve all its principles} as a limited stock of health (or should say) nerve force) and opportunity debar me from actively helping many causes in which I sympathize[.] I am compelled, in spite [3]² of myself, to concentrate any small power I may have very resolutely. And up to the present the "woman in question" including the appalling "social evil" has engrossed me more than any other. You will remind me how much economic causes have to do with this latter. I know it, & I wish I had been able to study them more. But while you are hacking [4] at the root of the [1 word illeg.] as tree, I have, I hope, been tugging at the branches! In trying to promote a spirit of justice and truer chivalry between the sexes, the removal of women's disabilities, respect for true marriage etc. etc. —

Would that I had strength enough for all! & that life were long enough!

With best wishes | believe me | very faithfully y[ou]^rs. | E. R. Chapman³ [signature]