WCP321

[1]

Parkstone, Dorset.

Feb.^y 14th. 1899

My dear Violet

The enclosed letter was intended to have been sent you when it came, but got misplaced & forgotten. Of course you can go to the Burrells if you like on your way home, but if you stay & go [on] a school excursion in Germany, that will be much more interesting & useful, & after that there may not be time if you are to get any work in the autumn. I should think if you write to your friends to look out for you [2] they might get you something or at all events advise you in time to apply for it, & come home if necessary. The having been with one of these school-excursions will be a great advantage both as showing you exactly how they are managed, & adding to your "pedagogic" qualifications!

I am very busy now hunting up Wallace & Greenell¹ genealogies &c. for the Autobiography. It is very difficult, but I am [3] getting on. After another 3 days gale of terrific violence we have had, today, a tidy spring day. The Evan’s had decided on a house at Alum Chine Bournemouth, when just as they were making final arrangements the person who is in it determined not to leave! So they have to begin again!

Mrs. Symonds² (sister of Miss North³) may, possibly, buy Andmore. Nothing settled yet of what they ask for it.

I wrote very politely to Mrs. Gorringe to let me [4] have a photograph taken of the portrait of Mr. ^William Greenell my great-great-Uncle, who is like what I was, & was an architect, — & they refused! Delightful people! It is Mr. Gorringe’s⁴ doing. They had the picture & 3 others, with Miss Robert’s⁵ house & furniture. All are of Greenells, who are no relations whatever to them! I told Mrs G[orringe]. what I wanted it for.

In haste | Your affectionate Pa | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]