WCP3015

[1]

Glenora. N.Y. U.S.A.

Sept 4. 1871.

Mr Alfred R. Wallace.

Dear Sir,

I often recall with pleasure the evening passed with you and other friends at the house of Dr. Edmonds [sic]¹ in London during my brief visit there the Fall of 1869.

Through the intense sensitiveness of my nature to individual spheres, which is a part of my mediumship, I felt myself very strongly attracted toward you, and during my absence on the Continent, I often looked forward with pleasant anticipations of meeting you again on my return in the Spring. But I was com- [2] pelled to return suddenly to America much earlier than I had anticipated and therefore had but one day in London, instead of several weeks as I had purposed.

But I have taken the liberty to write to you now upon a little matter of business.

I understand that you have published a little work entitled "The Scientific Aspect of of the Supernatural".² I am very desirous of getting a copy of it and I very much want it with your autograph on it. That, I cannot obtain at any book store, so I have ventured on the liberty of asking you if you will be kind enough to send me a copy by mail. I will most cheerfully purchase the book and pay its postage. I have [3] just received from my revered friend William Howitt³ a copy of his last vol. of poems,⁴ bearing his autograph. It came by mail quite safely.

I hope one of these days to place in your hands a volume of marvellous experiences of my own in Spiritualism. I am at work upon it now, but my health is so very delicate that it progresses but slowly.

I see that Spiritualism is making rapid progress in England as indeed it is everywhere. And what a glorious movement it is! Why it comprehends everything. Outside of it there is nothing. And yet how persistently blind most of our scientific men are toward it. Why is it [4] that they will insist upon looking at it through a knot-hole? Why is it that those men who are so wise in material things are so foolish in relation to Spiritual things. It is an enigma to me that I cannot solve.

While I was in Naples the winter of 69-70 I felt a very strong impression resting on my mind to write to you. I went so far as to obtain your address from Mr. Guppy.⁵ But I resisted the influence resting upon me and it passed away and has never returned.

Hoping that I may hear from you soon and that you will not deem this too great an intrusion.

I remain very truly yours | Fred L. H. Willis [signature]

Glenora. | Seneca Lake | Yates Co. | N.Y. U.S.A.

P.S. Do you object to my noticing your works in some of our American journals?⁶