WCP279

[1]

Parkstone, Dorset.

Dec^r. 14th. 1896

My dear Violet¹

I think it probable that Will² will be here for ‘Xmas from Thursday evening to Monday — & perhaps longer if there is no other work on hand as he expects to finish present job by ‘Xmas. As he has his cycle here perhaps you would like to bring yours to have some rides with him.

I do not know Mrs. Stetson’s³ address in America but shall probably hear before long.

I am afraid you will be a bore to all literary friends [2] if you ask all to write for your K.G. Mag.

The thing that would be most useful to me would be a purse as my present one is almost warn out. It is a soft leather one, with snapping knobs [a sketch of the purse appears here] which are the nicest kind of fastening I have seen & I sh^d. like one of the same kind.

Will went off this morning by 7.30 train as he has been almost idle the last two weeks [3] waiting for machinery to come from Newcastle & must now work.

Yesterday afternoon Mr. Sharpe⁴ & Mrs. Sharpe came to tea to bring Lady Torrens, an Irish lady, to talk about Spiritualism see Sp. Photographs &c. She was a little over 40 — handsome, & very Irishly talkative & enthusiastic &c. She has seen nothing but believes everything^, — so she is exactly the opposite of the Scientific Psychical Researchers.

Mr. Waddington from Godalming has come to live here for the winter for his daughter’s health [4] & if he likes it will take a house here.

That is about all the news here at present, & as I have to pack up the Lib. books to get a fresh lot for ‘Xmas, I must now conclude.

Your affectionate Pa | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]

Let us know what day & train to expect you.

A.R.W.