5. Westbourne Terrace. W.
Thursday [April 1863]1
Dear Bates
Supposing you are still in Leicester, I write a few lines to tell you that I have just finished reading your book2 from which I have derived very great pleasure. It has recalled to me old & familiar scenes which had almost faded away from memory like a dream. I am therefore perhaps not well fitted to judge of its effect on the public, as for me, it has an altogether peculiar charm; but it [is] so thoroughly well written, — the style [2] is so easy & the matter generally so new & interesting that I am sure most persons who will read it carefully, will be pleased & delighted.
The bits of Natural History are very good, & they too have a charm for me on account of the agreement of our opinions on such topics, which perhaps others may not feel in an equal degree. Your vindication of butterfly study at vol. 2. p. 346 is in particular most admirable.
Your estimate of the characters of the Indian & negro is I [3] think very just, & you have dwelt upon it so that I think it will leave a distinct impression upon every reader.
The most interesting part to me is that the latter half of vol. 2 as it is the most novel. To others the whole book will probably be equally delightful.
I see no signs of labour in the style, neither do I detect any of the that flowery exaggeration you had bid me to expect. There is not a line or an epithet on subjects of natural scenery, vegetable & animal life, that I can not fully support & agree with.
On the whole I must [4] congratulate you on having produced so extremely pleasant & interesting a book, which I am sure will delight all who know you, & if the general public do not also appreciate it, it will show that they have no taste left for unadulterated and unsensational books of travels.
Be assured this letter is not complimentary, but my true & honest opinion. I recommend the book to all my acquaintances, & I hope to get some credit by the recommendation. Thanks for the kind manner in which you have mentioned my name.
Hoping to see you soon back in Town
I remain | Dear Bates | Yours very faithfully | Alfred R. Wallace. [signature]
H. W. Bates Esq
Status: Edited (but not proofed) transcription [Letter (WCP4125.4142)]
For more information about the transcriptions and metadata, see https://wallaceletters.myspecies.info/content/epsilon
[1]1 [p. 64]
"5, Westbourne Grove Terrace, W.,
"Thursday [1863].
"Dear Bates,
"Supposing you are still in Leicester I write a few lines to tell you that I have just finished reading your book [The Naturalist on the River Amazons —Ed.], from which I have derived much pleasure. It has recalled to me old and familiar scenes which had almost faded away from memory like a dream.
"I am therefore, perhaps, not well-fitted to judge of its effect on the public; as for me it has an altogether peculiar charm, but it is so thoroughly well written, the style is so easy and the matter generally so new and interesting that I am sure most persons who will read it carefully will be pleased and delighted.
"The bits of Natural History are very good, and they too have a charm for me on account of our opinions on such topics which, perhaps, others may not feel in an equal degree. Your vindication of butterfly study at Vol. II. p. 326, is in particular most admirable. Your estimate of the character of the Indian is, I think, very just, and you have dwelt upon it so that I think it will leave a distinct impression upon any reader.
"The most interesting part to me is the latter half of Vol. II., as it is the most novel. To others the whole book will probably be equally delightful.
"I see no signs of labour in the style, neither do I detect any of that flowery exaggeration you had led me to expect. There is not a line nor an epithet on [2] [p. 65] subjects of natural scenery, vegetable and animal life, that I cannot fully support and agree with. On the whole I must congratulate you on having produced so extremely pleasant and interesting a book, which I am sure will delight all who know you, and if the general public do not also appreciate it, it will show that they have no taste left for unadulterated and unsensational books of travel. Thanks for the kind manner in which you have mentioned my name.
"I remain, dear Bates,
"Yours very faithfully,
"Alfred R. Wallace."
Status: Draft transcription [Published letter (WCP4125.5785)]
For more information about the transcriptions and metadata, see https://wallaceletters.myspecies.info/content/epsilon
Please cite as “WCP4125,” in Beccaloni, G. W. (ed.), Ɛpsilon: The Alfred Russel Wallace Collection accessed on 27 April 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/wallace/letters/WCP4125