WCP3295

[1]¹

5 Henrietta Street,

Covent Garden,

London, W.C.

January 10th 1911

Dr. Alfred Russel Wallace,

Old Orchard, Broadstone,

Wimberas, Dorset

Dear Dr. Wallace:

Your letter of January 8th is received. I happen to know of the [person] concern[ed] that wrote to you for a photograph, and to know that they would not pay for one, especially as the photograph is, presumably, not copyrighted in America.

And this reminds me that another department of my business deals with illustrated matter for American newspapers, and that i had made a note last week to wirte you suggesting that we would like to send out a little article abut you, apropos of the new book, to the thirty or forty papers who are supplied with material by my News Bureau². I would make arrangments to use the photograph which appeared in 'Life'³.

The widest interest would be aroused if we could print a little interview with you, if you should think it worth while to jot down the nswers to two or three questions. For instance, would you be willing to answer this question;-

'What do you believe to be the nearest form of approach to ritualistic worship that a modern scientist may properly make?'

Undoubtedly I have worded the question awkwardly, and perhaps blindly, but it seems clear that most human beings need some kind of ritual, just as liquid needs some kind of vessel if it is to be held together and given some practicable form. If you will graciously overlook the inadequacy of my statement of the case, and give some suggestions on the subject, I believe it would be no[t] only of the greatest interest, but of great service. It would be interesting, also, if we could give any news of your plans. Have you any work in view?

[2] If you would be willing to add anything that would especially concern the United States, we would be under still further obligation. The more you can find it convenient to give us, the more attention the article will attract, and, incidentally, the greater help given to your American publishers.

Yours faithfully | Curtis Brown [signature]