WCP316

[1]

Parkstone, Dorset.

Oct^r. 13th. 1898

My dear Violet¹

I send two letters that have come for you. I also sent you 3 insides of papers to see about De Rougemont.² Now we shall expect a full description of the new Rektorial abode, and of Possneck itself and of the surrounding country. Also of the interesting neighbours which may take the place of the never-to-be-forgotten mad-houses and slaughterhouses of Blankenheim. Will’s³ last letter gave us a journal of his sporting excursion. Nothing very exciting. No bears, or painters, or other monsters, Got some fair deer-shooting each of them getting a stag with good [2] horns, so, apparently they enjoyed themselves and came galumphing back. I hope he will get some work soon at Denver or elsewhere. I asked Mrs. W.⁴ of Stockton to get me a copy of the Californian edition of Omar Khayam⁵ [sic], and it came by same post as Will’s letter, showing that they have reached home safely. It is a charming little Edition, pub^d by William Doxey, At the sign of the Lark, San Francisco, with a preface and Life of Omar. It is beautifully printed on fine paper, just the thing to take out and read on the grass, the price is 1/2 dollar 2^d/- and the postage is only 1d — so you can write & order a copy if you like sending a P. order [3] for the amount. I have read a good deal of it, and it is really charming. It is an exquisitely poetical philosophy of life from a purely materialistic point of view. The first edition of my "Wonderful Century"⁶ is nearly sold out (2000) and they are going to print another 1000, which is not so bad for such a heretical book. I forget whether I told you of the new convert to Antivaccination — Lord Grimthorpe⁷ — a rich man who has repaired and restored St. Albans Abbey. He wrote me a long letter⁸ saying he had been converted by my book and that I might print his letter.⁹ He is [4] a clever man, was formerly a barrister, and an authority on bells & chimes & church clocks. Miss Chant¹⁰ has been taking some rather good photos of me lately, & has sold the negative of one to a London firm, who want it for illustrations in an American magazine.

That is all the news I can think of at present

Your affectionate Pa | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]