WCP2700

[1]^{1, 2}

Lilley House³

Lea Bridge Road

Leyton

March 15. 1894

Dear Dr. Russel Wallace:

I did not write back ^immediately, for two reasons — first, I have left to the last moment my 'Vox Clamantium' blast[?] (and may tell me, whether it should wake me up to write more ^elsewhere) and secondly, I understand you[1 word crossed out, illeg.] are busy.

Do you want the proof back or will you kindly add on after it is set up by the printers. I don't [2] know if they will go on. as things come in, or whether they will go at it when all is to hand. I will write tonight to the publishers.

I must study your scheme again. It seems to me much like what I suggested in my book Retrenchment 1887.

We take no notice of thorns. I should say that a good [3]⁴ editor would like fresh thought. There is almost room for a new monthly which should be open to the most daring and go aheadish[sic] things. We are on the eve of a great crisis. Lord Roseberry will either make a mess of it or "ride on the storm" and leap and win.

I don't like his turf [4] 'rot' — to use a word of yours.

Why there is so much outcry about his Home Rule speech I don't know — since before he was always behind in this matter.

What a nice little thing Labour chair hath[?] done. I shall force the Liberals on. Arnold's Free Land League I'll mash up, God helping me. I named as [1 word illeg.] sole my mother (she is dead — when I was a child and a good woman) as the earth.

Very truly yours | Andrew Reid⁵[signature]

Now is the time!