WCP4227

[1]

August 31st. 1891

Corfe View

Parkstone

Dorset¹

My dear Mr. Cockerell

I was glad to hear of your safe arrival in Jamaica & that your Museum was better than you expected. Your specimen of red-tapesia is a fine illustration of the almost necessary results of the inorganic[?] struggle for existence. It is of course the numerous "vested interests " that keep up such a system, and whose its ramifications ^{through society} render reformers almost powerless against it.

I am glad you have taken some interest in Spiritualism or its phenomena. The idea that "scientific men" can do anything with the facts beyond what any thoughtful man can do, is, I am inclined to think, an error. Prof. Hare a first rate chemist, Crookes, a first rate physicist, Varley, &c., &c., Robert Chambers, a good all-round man of science, D^r. Lockhart Robertson and D^r Morris — physiologists, & many others have studied the subject for years, with no lack of facts, — and are no nearer a comprehension [2] of the modus-operandi of the phenomena than the most ordinary intelligent man. And I think this may always be so. We may learn much of the conditions under which the phenomena may occur, but probably nothing of the essential nature of the forces and materials employed. And this seems to me reasonable and good. Spiritualistic phenomena and communications are not, and ^are not intended to be, a ^necessary portion of our life here. They have a special function in combating & disproving the scientific dogma, everywhere now maintained, that mind cannot be manifested without a material brain of the same essential nature and constitution as ours. They are also intended to prove, and have proved to thousands, that the so called dead are alive, and that their condition is the direct sequence and outcome of their lives here, as surely and naturally, as that good and abundant fruit is the product of a healthy plant. When [3] they have done this they have done their work; and no knowledge as to the exact physical or psychical processes, by which the phenomena are produced, would add one iota to this great result, while it might lead to the waste of lives which would be better spent on researches which directly bear on our existence here. Scientific men have nothing to do with spiritualistic phenomena but to ascertain the facts, the whole facts, and nothing but the facts, — and then the conclusion from the facts which ^{will soon} become clear. I quite admit that the facts require studying and sifting, as they are being studied & sifted by the Soc[iety] for Ps[ychical] Res[earch] but the idea that they ^{or anyone else} will ever be able to explain them, as the facts of chemistry or of physics are explained is, I think, a total delusion. For the rest of your remarks Mrs. Cockerell has so well answered them that I need say no more. [4] I am delighted to see that Oliver Lodge in his Address to Sect. A. of Brit.[ish] Ass.[ociation] has boldly discussed the work of the Soc[iety] for Ps[ychical] Res[earch] and has given men of Science some hard hits for neglecting, and abusing the enquiry.

I was rather disappointed in not having from you or Mrs. C. a word on the aspect of the country. Is not the view of the mountains from Kingston very fine? What is the nature of the country round the town (or city?) Is it well covered with wood or wholly open & cultivated? Does the ground rise at once from the town or is there a wide plain to the foot of the hills. &c. &c. &c. I suppose there are some lovely gardens about the town. Where are the botanic gardens? I suppose somewhere in the hills. Is there a stream at Kingston and is it kept free from Sewage!? With kind regards to Mrs. Cockerell and hoping you will both enjoy your new house

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

I am now correcting proofs of "Island Life ".