WCP3

[1]

Parkstone, Dorset.

Oct^r. 26th. 1890

My dear Willie¹

I write you a few lines just to report progress in the building. This week the roof-framing has been put up, boarded at the top for the lead flat, and the roof of the balcony is also framed. The rain water tank is also built and the old gate stopped up & new wall finished. During next week I expect the tiles will be got on the whole of the back building & they will begin the foundations [2] of the drawing room.

They rather stupidly began taking the tiles off the back roof over the passage where the new roof will join on to it, & now the rain is coming through & we have to keep a basin in the passage to catch the water.

The engine has come for Jennings’. A little old-fashioned looking thing. It came on a truck & it took more than a dozen men [3] all day to get it off the truck on to the rails. Then it was filled with water & the fire lighted. It smoked horribly, and at last when it started & passed through Jennings’ gate they fired a gun, — & yesterday it was dragging up trucks of pipes.

There is no more news here. I think I told you that Mr Barnes little blind grandson was dead.

I went to see Mr. Sharpe² [4] on Thursday and spent an hour with him. He looked a trifle better, — but is so dreadfully weak that it seems very uncertain whether he will get over it. Your letter about the visit to Mr. Swinton’s was sufficiently detailed. Write us a similar minute account of a day at the College.

I have nearly used all the stones and want some more!

Your affectionate Papa | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]