WCP4127

[1]

Frith Hill, Godalming.

Feb[ruary]y 16^th. 1886

Dear Sir

I have received an invitation from Mr. Augustus Lowell of Boston to give some lectures to the "Lowell Institute" in the coming Autumn, and he refers me to you as having recently lectured there very successfully, for any particulars I may wish to know. He asks for 6 or 8 lectures & séances [in] November as the earliest period, but he does not say at what intervals the lectures would have to be given — whether daily or at intervals of 2, 3, or more days.

I have some idea of going on a lecturing tour, having also received an invitation from Melbourne, but I should [2] begin with America. I am advised by Gerald Malley, who has lectured in both countries, that the most profitable method is to employ an agent to manage a tour, and he recommends giving only one or two lectures in each town as ensuring by far the largest returns, — and this is a point of special importance to me as it is only the prospect of realising a considerable sum that would induce me to undertake the risk of fatigue of such a tour.

If you can give me any advice or information on these points I shall be much obliged. Do you think the lectures to the Lowell Institute would [3] interfere with one or two public lectures in Boston? I do not know whether these Lowell lectures are to members only or to the public. I have been told that the Redpath Lyceum Bureau of Boston undertake lecture agencies. Do you know anything of them?

I should lecture mainly on Nat. Hist. but also on social questions — Land Nationalisation, Depression of Trade &c. — where desired.

Having a very delicate throat & being very sensitive to chills, I must avoid the Eastern Winter, & my idea was to lecture if possible in October to the mid of Nov. in the East, then go south & by southern route to California. Can you tell me whether November is a [4] tolerably good month in the Eastern states?

Believe me ׀ Yours faithfully ׀ Alfred R. Wallace. [signature]

E. W. Gosse Esq.