WCP3612

[1]

Broadstone, Wimbourne

May 12th. 1907

F. C. Owlett¹ Esq.

Dear Sir

I was much surprised & pleased at receiving your letter about Borrow’s² “Ghost Story”³ – which I had given up all hopes of recovering. I had written to Mr. Hudson⁴ (“The Naturalist in La Plata”⁵) about it, & he enquired of Mr. Kelly.⁶ What I should be glad to know is – where you got it from, & how it came (the MSS,) into the possession of an American Prof. S. P. Langley,⁷ [2] whom I know personally, and who died a year or two ago. It has all the characteristics of an old Spanish Story with a little of Borrow’s style, & was probably told by Borrow from memory. Borrows acquaintance with Occult literature was small, or he would not give that story such a high place, though it is a fairly good example of the weird & mysterious.

I have read your “Early Recollections” with pleasure [3] you have a very good narrative style well adapted to telling a good story, but hardly brilliant enough for an essayist or leader-writer. I do not think you would be wise to go to London without more experience in writing unless you can get a definite engagement. The very numerous magazines are always glad to have new writers of short stories or clever articles, – and until you are able to write such – as proved by their being accepted and paid for, I do not see what advantage whatever you would derive from being in [4] London, except a tolerable chance of starvation before you could make your way.

Can you not get subjects for stories among the York paupers? I see however that you do contribute “to various London Periodicals.” What more can you do by going to London?

I built “The Dell” at Grays – & lived there four years but sold it some years before you were born: Since then I have built two other houses one at Godalming, and the one I am now living in.

I do not see how I can “help you” – (or any one else) except by giving our advice.

With best wishes for you success,

yours truly | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]