WCP401

[1]

Godalming, Aug 24th 1888

My dear Fanny¹

We returned home yesterday evening after an absence of 4 weeks. After leaving Penzance (where no decent homes are to be had) we went to Chepstow, & saw Tintern Abbey, the Wynd Cliff & the beautiful scenery around Monmouth— - perhaps the most beautiful in the world. Some nice homes, very cheap, with land, in that district, but all remote from towns & stations of course. [2] We then spent 4 days at Coleford in the Forest of Dean, a forest bigger by far than the Epping Forest or even the New Forest — - Then we spent a week with Miss North² at her country home at Alderley in Gloucestershire, in the most beautiful country all meadows hills, woods, & streams, very park-like & with grand trees. She has been making a garden which though only 2 years old looks 20. We found there [3] a large house uninhabited for 20 years, set in perfect order ^repair, & to be let at a mere nominal rent, but it has in front of it a huge deserted cloth mill, in ruins, which would require to be pulled down and cleared away, & the landlord would rather let it remain empty then go to the expense. It would make a most lovely grounds and gardens & Miss North longs for us to have it. Willie^3,4 & Violet⁵have been enjoying themselves while we have been away visiting almost everyday. If I [4] had £.500 to spend on it I believe I could have it on lease for £15. – £20 a year with 8 acres of land garden orchard, wood, splendid running ^trout stream, & materials of old mill to make mounds & rock work! It would be splendid! But I can’t.

I send Zoo tickets for 2 with Sundays.

I⁶ am better but not well.

Your affectionate Brother | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]