WCP400

[1]

70 Lillie Road

West Brompton S.W.

London

June 27th /87.

Dear Alfred,

I write a thin note to enclose in one to John,¹ as perhaps you will not be at Stockton when it arrives. — I received your letter on the 18th June, and the two papers the 24th. I was very much interested in all that they contained concerning your doings, I am glad you have been so well received in California,² & perhaps you may have some [2] more lectures to give before you return home.

I am very pleased John was convinced, & converted, but it will take some time to feel the ground firm under his feet, you know how long it takes to be perfectly sure of ones own apparent beliefs. — I have never doubted since the first two names written under Mrs Marshalls³ table, our first séance together; I think I can enlighten you about the signatures Elizabeth Wallace was most likely my Father’s Mother ^{as she calls you Boys} as my sister has always written her [3] full name, Elizabeth Grenell [sic] Wallace & my Father⁴ having been present at the same time, it was more likely to have seen his Mother, who died when he was very young, how wonderful they should come together.^!! I do not know who the O. Wallace was, but there were many Uncles in Scotland. My Father had but one Brother I believe, William, a very tall man, but died young[.] Papa was taken by his Uncle & Aunt Grenell, & he must have been his Mother’s sister & old Mrs Roberts was another. The marriages between the Wallaces and the Grenells is quite a puzzle for us now. — [4] John Gray⁵ perhaps is the old Dr. Gray that I used to go to see at the British Museum? when you were abroad, & take your letters, & read to him, he was most interested in you, & we used to have long chats together about your doings.

We go on in the same silly way, no persons of any note coming, a few of the poor, & the Cow Boys from the American Exhibition, we are obliged to do them all at half price, or we should not have them at all, I do not know what we are going to do, we shall see by March next but we must give notice at Xmas. We [5] shall see you before that I hope.

With love │Your affectionate Sister │ F. Sims⁶ [signature]