WCP3243

[1]¹

'Torrington'

Anderson's Bay

Dunedin N.Z.

10/6/[19]06

Alfred Russel Wallace Esq F.R.S. &c &c

Dear Sir

I have been reading with great interest the two volumes "My Life" lately given to the world by yourself. In Vol II my attention was specially attracted by a short notice of 2 works by Mr. Arthur J. Bell:² —"Whence comes Man, from "Nature" or from "God"? & "Why does Man Exist?" which you conclude with the words: — "And he arrives at a grand — a magnificent conclusion" —

I have instructed my bookseller in Dunedin to procure for me the 2 Vols if possible, but I imagine they may very likely be out of print [2] [p. II] or the demand for them caused by your appreciative notice may be so great as to quickly exhaust the available copies, I am therefore taking the liberty of writing to ask if you could in a few words convey to me what is the 'grand & magnificent conclusion' which the Author finds to the weighty matters discussed by him in those vols: I have the late Sir Henry Thompson's³ small brochure: —"The Unknown God" which dwells upon much the same deep subjects.

I have also been renewing with pleasure my acquaintance with your "Malay Archipelago". I was myself for some 6 weeks in Singapore & Johore in [18]'69 and made the acquaintance of the late Rajah of Johore who kindly furnished me with a boat & crew to enable me to visit the tin mines up the Johore river & whose photo: I have in court dress.

[3][p. III] ⁴ I made the transit across the Island of Singapore on foot treading on the curious sensitive plant most of the way, & seeing two large-sized tiger cubs playing in the road. I have also your recent work "Man's Place in the Universe" 4^th Ed[ition]: which is to me one of the most intensely interesting works ever penned.

In "My Life" you make mention of Sir W[illia]m: T. Thiselton-Dyer,⁵ lately Director of Kew Gardens. I had the honor of passing thro[ugh]: King's College School ^London with him during the years [18]'58 — [18]'60, afterwards coming out to New Zealand. With apologies for troubling you, & begging you to accept assurance of my profound regard for the lustre of your great attainments[.]

I am, Dear Sir, Yours faithfully | W. E. McAdam — [signature]

[4]⁶