WCP274

[1]

Parkstone, Dorset.

June 13^th. 1896

My dear Violet¹

After receiving your last letter I wrote to Mr. Musson for information telling him what you wanted. I have his reply this morning and I extract for you the passages specially referring to cheap & nice quarters. Aigle is the next town beyond Villeneuve where the Mussons live, and is at the bottom of the valley of Ormont (dessous and dessus²). Vers l’Eglise is near the head of the valley, surrounded by grand mountains. Chesieres is in the next valley beyond Aigle but the road to it begins at Aigle (the station) whence there is a diligence. It is about 4000 feet above sea, a little higher than Ormont Dessus, and the same as Argentiere's. This seems to me to be [2] ^probably the most delightful place quite out of the beaten track. As soon as you have heard from Argentiere as to what you can be taken for there, you can write to Mr. Musson, who says he will be most happy to make enquiries for you, to know what you can be taken for at Chesuieres[sic].

You would be there within reach of the Mussons & as it would be their holidays they would be able to come & see you. Again, the journey would be less, as it would be all rail & diligence, & considerably shorter than to Argentiere. [3] At all events you have now all the materials to decide, & if you borrow a Swiss guide from Mr. Lund you will be able to see about it.

The only news lately is that Suint[?] has had some kittens & Ma³ has kept one jet black one! ^{"The Demon!"} Mr. Musson’s address is —

Rev[eren]^d. S.C. Musson

Clos de Grandchamp

Villeneuve

Switzerland

Your affectionate Pa | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]

[4] P.S. We heard from Will⁴ yesterday. He is still at Hull, for a week more apparently. A.R.W.