WCP3130

[1]¹

Washington D. C.

U. S. A.

November 23, 1889

Dr. Alfred R. Wallace

Parkstone, England.

Dear Sir:

When I received your acknowledgment in the early spring of the receipt of the little book on "The new cosmology[?]"², which I provided to you on behalf of Hon[orable]. R. T. Van Horn³ of Kansas City, M[iss]o[uri]., I should perhaps have at once replied; but at that time a pressure of engagements prevented. I now awake to the fact that I have been somewhat remiss in the fulfilment of a promise [2] made to Mrs. Hibbert⁴, who loaned me your recent work on Evolution Darwinism⁵. She fell very sick soon after I received it; and became unable to acknowledge your gift or your postal note of June 30th, which I engaged to do for her. I have kept the book for a long time in order to study it thoroughly. Within a few days however she inquired if I had written [to] you according to agreement, and I was obliged to confess my negligence. There is some excuse for her, for after she had risen from her bed, the lingering langor [sic] that had followed her malady, made writing a drudgary [sic]; and besides she was under the impression that for her I had returned [to] you her most hearty [3]⁶ thanks for your gift. Without further delay I try to apologize for myself and at the same time fulfil her renewed urgent request that I make her acknowledgments.

I am happy to say that she has now nearly recovered her usual health, but will in a few days go to New York, to add to her strength by a few weeks sojourn in a more tonic climate than we enjoy here. She may write [to] you from that city.

During the hot summer I have had no good opportunity to study any mediumistic phenomena, or any other matters as I could wish other than such as pertain to ordinary business. But I have found time to greatly interest myself in your recent work.

I send this note merely as an apology.

[4]⁷ I hear that Mr. Armstrong’s⁸ nephew recently died at a summer resort in the north — a great blow to himself and wife. He was well when I last directly heard from him.

Very truly yours | D. Lyman⁹ [signature]

P. O. Box 702.