WCP4247

[1]

Old Orchard,

Broadstone,

Dorset.

Dec 5 1913

Dear Mr Cockerell,¹

My mother² has asked me to answer your letter and to thank you very much for your kind words.

My father’s health and mental vigour were quite normal up to within a week of his death — of course he was, & had for a long time been, troubled by several ailments, and a severe attack of ague resulting from an old established internal trouble was the first indication of anything serious.

[2] 2. On Nov 4^th, he stayed ^stayed in bed — the first time for many years — & from that time till he died on the 7^th he remained in a comatose condition. He passed away in his sleep at 9.25 a.m. on the Friday.

My mother has borne the loss very bravely. She is not very well and cannot move about without help.

We have made no plans for the future yet & we are not sure whether we shall stay in this house.

We shall be very glad to see [3] 3. anything that you write for the American papers, & my mother has no objection to your using any of my father’s letters.

You will be interested to know that we are collecting material for a new book of Letters and Reminiscences of A. R. Wallace"³ which is to fill in the gaps in "My Life"⁴ and deal with the more personal & human side of his character — the scientific side has been done enough.

The book will be written by Mr James Marchant⁵ who is an experienced biographer & well up in all father’s work. [4] 4. I was going to ask if you would lend us any letters you may have — or better still — copies of them? we will gladly bear the cost of copying them. If you will do so will you mark any passages you have already published? Any reminiscences you could jot down — amusing or characteristic — would be greatly appreciated.

This book would be published in England first & probaby in U.S.A. later.

We naturally wish to keep all original matter for this book so it may be difficult to supply you with any photos — if we have any —; all that part of the matter is in Mr Marchant’s hands as he is [5] 5 responsible to the publishers (Cassel & Co) for making a good and original book.

My mother will receive the royalties.

We are rather in Mr Marchant’s hands in this matter — so I will ask him about it, & let you know.

I enclose a circular we have just received for distribution amongst our friends who may be interested.

You will like to know what is [6] 6 proposed. It is an a[m]bitious scheme & I hope some of it, at any rate, will be completed.

My mother sends her kindest regards to Mrs Cockerell⁶ & yourself in which my sister⁷ and I join.

Yours very truly | W. G. Wallace⁸ [signature]