WCP292

[1]

Parkstone, Dorset

July 6^th. 1897

My dear Violet¹

We got back Thursday evening after 15 days tour, & I find no end of work. We spent 8 days at Lynton — a very picturesque place, but walks all hilly. We explored the Doone Valley and the lunched at the celebrated "water-side" which is about as like the "water-side" up which John Ridd² climbed in jeopardy of his life! as, say, the Sugar Loaf at Abergavenny is like the Matterhorn. Then we had six days at Ilfracombe which is, I think, the most picturesquely situated sea town in the Kingdom, and notwithstanding its being overbuilt with ugly houses without order or arrangement of any kind, still offers more picturesque & delightful walks & views in, & close to, the town, than in any ^English town I know or have heard of. There are [2] also several nice & very interesting places a few miles off. We visited two of them — Braunton Burrows & Woollacombe[sic] Sands, and at both of them found more wild flower-gardens than I think anywhere else in England. We got lodgings, with board, at both. Large sitting room with grand sea view, & large comfortable bedrooms, and unlimited board — at Lynton[;] cream & strawberries at every meal, afternoon tea &c. & every luxury for ^s6/-³ a day each & no extras. At Ilfracombe the same, but with cream & strawberries only once or twice a day, — but with a palatial sitting room 30ft x 18ft with 3 large windows looking down on [the] sea and coast & harbour — same terms. The first 3 days at Lynton were very cold & I had a fire each evening —since, unbearably hot.

[3] We are very glad you are going to give us the pleasure of your company this holidays — & also that of your friends. Although the places & the accommodation we had were everything I could wish, yet I did not very much enjoy it, & was very glad to be back. To be away from home with nothing to do but read & walk is becoming almost unbearable to me. I prefer a few day-excursions — at intervals. We shall want to have a full account of your doings and mountain ascents when you come.

I have not sent Will's⁴ letters because it is simply too much trouble! It is the last straw that breaks the poor camel’s back!! I send you now the last 3. You have some before that, & be sure [to] bring these all back, with your own, as there will probably be some extra facts in them. Also [4] bring Mr Mott’s⁵ Christmas & New Year Enigmas &c. You had them ages ago, & I want to keep them together. We have had visits from the Phrenological⁶ doctor, from the young Liverpudlian enthusiastic naturalists, & from 3 Socialists or social reformers.

As I have now to write all the news to Will weekly I forget how much I have told you & will give details when you come.

Mr Stead proposes coming for a talk some day so perhaps he will come while you are at home. His book of portraits is come at last, but is poor, being only bad process-prints instead of the photographs themselves.

Your affectionate Pa | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]