WCP3319

[1]¹

Deep River

Via Denmark

Western Australia

13. X. 1912

Dr. A. R. Wallace

The Old Orchard

Broadstone

Dorset

Dear Sir

If it is not presumption on my part, I am hoping that you can recal [sic] the two visits I made to you about four years ago² when I was with "The Free Age Press", & that you will not mind a few words from me now.

Soon after my last visit to you my engagement with Mr Tchertkoff³ came to an end & I am now with my wife & family in the wilds of Australia — engaged in farming, or rather, clearing the virgin forest with farming as my objective.

I read of the publication of your latest work⁴ & although I shall probably never see it I can gather from the "reviews" something of its nature.

Out here under "the Southern Cross" I & my family often sit under our veranda & think of you & other grand old men ^with whom it has been our good fortune to come in contact. One of these – Tolstoy⁵ — has left us, but [2] you, among others, are still with us, & as I sit here in my humble cottage in the heart of the primeval forest, with my wife and family around me, when I read of your latest work the product of so many years of earnest thought & high endeavour, we are all, young & old, ^profoundly moved by this fragment, this digest of your work, which appears to us more complete, more satisfying, more in accordance with fact, than any other effort which, so far, has been made, towards a solution of those problems which lay before every earnest man or woman, those of Life, Mind, & Reality.

And this is but a "review" I am glad to get one from the pen of a "reviewer" who is evidently in sympathy with your ideas.

Now I should very much like to have this book, but to be frank with you I cannot spare the money, neither do I want you to think for one moment that I am asking you to give me one – but what you may be able to do for me I have the teremity[sic] to ask for. When I was in the publishing business I could get any newly published work at cost price. This I am no longer able to do, therefore if you could find the time & greatly oblige me by kindly taking the trouble & I know I am asking much — but if you could arrange that one could be sent to me direct — but before doing so let me know the price — I would gratefully forward it & at once. Books which can be be purchased at home for 6/- cost out here at least 9/- yours I find is 12/6.

[3] In the old country I was frequently engaged in giving addresses to Ethical & other societies & I am expected to give one in Albany to "The Australian Nature Associations" & this address will be on "Great Men whom I have met". Coupled with this I am expected to give an opinion on the "White Australian Policy", which as you are doubtless aware means the policy of preserving this continent for the White races & the exclusive avoidance of any color problem such as they have in the United States.

If you could find time, & are able, to send me a few lines expressing your views on this matter I shall esteem it a very great favour.

The great men I have met are Tolstoy, Kropotkin,⁶ W. T. Stead,⁷ J. M. Robertson,⁸ Bernard Shaw,⁹ & yourself, & I am writing to some of these ^others by this same post.

I venture in conclusion to express the hope that if I have erred in making these requests that you will forgive me & take no further notice,

With every good wish for your welfare

I have the honour to remain | Dear Sir | Yours respectfully | Frank S. Thompson¹⁰ [signature]