WCP3301

[1]

Jan. 30, 1911.

Dear Sir

I have delayed replying to your letter until I consulted several friends who know Mr Spencer¹ intimately.

The occasion you refer to when you spent an evening with Spencer was in 1867 or very early in 1868. I was private Secretary to Spencer at that time and remember him telling me next morning that you had dined with him, & that during the evening he ^you had a discussion on the flight of birds.

As to Spencer having ever played the flute I can find no evidence. I never hear him say that he possessed [2] a flute. Mr. Houghton[?], who was his secritary[sic] for so many years tells me that Spencer had no flute in his possession and never gave any hint of having at any time played it. To the same effect is the evidence of Miss Killick, his lady housekeeper.

I had a letter this morning from Mr. Frank Lott, the son of Spencer's oldest & most intimate friend, & one whose earliest recollection we associated with Spencer. Mr. Lott says: "I never saw Mr. Spencer play any instrument, although I heard him sing in glees several times." Mr Lott has also made inquiries of several of his relatives who knew Spencer, or knew about his social recreations. The replies are all to the same effect — nobody knows of his ever having played the flute or having possessed one.

I fear your memory has deceived [3] you on this occasion. Perhaps you heard Spencer sing to to some lady playing the piano.

Mr. Lott, in his letter received this morning, says: "May I be permitted to express my deep homage to Mr. Wallace and say what joy his books have given me beginning with the "Malay Archipelago." Personally, I shall never forget the fascination of that book when I read it more than forty years ago.

Very truly yours | D Duncan² [signature]