WCP4113

[1]¹

Waldron Edge, Duppas Hill, Croydon.

July 2nd. 1879²

Dear Mr. Spencer,³

I should have written before to thank you for so kindly sending me your new book;⁴ but I wished to read it first, as it is of all the subjects you have treated the most important. Having now done so I must express my admiration of the complete way in which you have developed the true nature of Ethics. On that aspect of the question I agree with you unhesitatingly throughout. You have clearly shown how and why those should act who wish to devlope[sic] their own natures and at the same time that of those around them, to the greatest attainable perfection. But I doubt if Evolution alone, even as you have exhibited its action, can account for the development of the advanced and enthusiastic [2] altruism that not only exists now, but apparently has always existed among men,— for the very earliest records show examples of men whose altruism has been almost perfect.

If on this point I "doubt", on another point I feel certain and that is, that not even your beautiful system of Ethical science can act as a "controlling agency" or in any way "fill up the gap left by the disappearance of the code of supernatural ethics",— unless, with it you have the firm conviction or actual knowledge that man continues to live after the death of the body, and that his right conduct here will, wholly, & by natural sequence, determine his degree of happiness and rate of progress in that life.

I think you will at once [3] acknowledge that this would be a great addition to its "controlling power". I say it would create it. What controlling power would an acceptance of your views have over the sceptical Egoist. [One word crossed out, illeg.] He would say, "I am happy; why should I trouble about other people, or improvements to come after my time". But if you could show make him believe & know that his egoism and selfish pleasures were so affecting ^moulding his own nature, as to render him absolutely incapable of any proportionate happiness in a state of existence where all pleasures would largely depend on a developed altruism you would have a controlling ^power to act, not only on such men, but still more powerfully on the base & sensual.

Surely then the question—"are there well ascertained and carefully observed facts which [4] go to prove the existence ^reality of such a continued existence"—is one of the most overwhelming importance. Of late years the facts have been accumulating wonderfully by the accession of a member of well-educated observers, and I very much wish you would devote a few hours of your recreative [sic] readings, to getting some knowledge of them. If you will do so allow me to recommend two small books by M. A. Oxon⁵—one of the lecturers at University College, & a man whose admirable style, reasonableness, and logic will I think commend itself to you. More important is the circumstance that he gives copious facts, minutely examined, tested, and verified by himself, & for the most part occurring in the presence of himself and personal friends. The titles of the books are "Psychography" and "Spirit Identity".

M. A. Oxon’s name is Stainton Moses. It is no secret but for obvious reasons he does not put it on his books.

Believe me | Yours very faithfully | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]