WCP29

[1]

Parkstone, Dorset

DNov[ember] 17^th, 1900

My dear Will

I send you the "note"; and when you receive it send a post-card to say it is all right.

I find the trains for Amersham are better on Sunday than on week-days, and as Mr. Gurney mentioned "Saturday or Sunday," he would be there, you & Violet¹ can go on Sunday next and I will try to get Ma to go up to London on Friday or Saturday to Violet & go with you. Then by your [MS illeg.]ited [2] reports I can tell as well as if I saw it myself, & if favourable I can at once try to get it taken up by those who have the money. The train on Sunday morning is 9.47 from Baker Street, reaching Amersham 10.43 — and return 2.48 reaching Baker St. 3.54 — So that gives 4 hours clear. Time even to walk to the Grange & back if fine. But of course you will write on Sat[urday]. asking for a carriage². It seems to me that it will be a chance to get a really good house & gardens at a moderate price that may never occur again. [3] If you have to go away on a job, let me know directly & return the plan and letter, as I may then go myself.

About £65 an acre is asked for the whole estate — about the price land at Hindhead was sold when Tyndall first went there, & now it is worth £800 or £1000. The fir & birch wood to the north of Solly’s Hill with not a particle of view are now selling in very small lots 10 to an acre at £60. each = £600 an acre! In 5 or 6 years "The Grange Land" will be fletching £1000 an acre most likely — [4] with a station within a mile of it, & some part I believe within ¼ mile.

When you go, note the size of the chief rooms, height etc. also water-supply, and how much land will be needed to preserve the views uninterrupted. Also if walled garden, greenhouse etc.

Your affectionate Pa | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]

Will send off your coat on Monday morning.

A.R.W.

Please send me the name of Mr. Gurney of "The Grange," in case I wish[?] to write to him. But better perhaps return me his letter as I think I shall go myself and then we can all see it at once, and I can explain matters better to Mr. Swinton & others.

A.R.W