WCP2676

[1]

Houndless Water Farm

Haslemere

Sep. 18^th. <1890>¹

Dear Mr. Wallace,

I am very much obliged for your kindness in replying so promptly to my letter.² 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 & abuses.

I cannot feel confident about joining your Society ^{even sh}d ^{I thoroughly approve all its principles} as a limited stock of health (or I should say) nerve force) and opportunity debar me from actively helping many causes in which I sympathize. I am compelled, in spite [3] of myself, to concentrate any small power I may have very resolutely. And up to the present the "woman-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 upas tree, I have, I hope, been tugging at the branches! in trying to promote a spirit of justice & 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^rs. | E. R. Chapman³ [signature]