WCP4263

[1]¹

Old Orchard,

Broadstone,

Dorset

June 22 1913

Dear Mr Marchant,²

Is "Environment & Progress"³ out of print as I have not received the two copies I asked you to be so good as to order for me and for which I will pay the usual authors price on hearing what it is?

I am glad to say that I am feeling better in health but I am more than ever overwhelmed with correspondence with which I cannot cope. [2] 2. I sincerely hope that you have quite recovered from your illness.

Believe me | yours very truly | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]

P.S.

I return as requested your memorandum for the Committee on the decline of Birth-rate, the only fault of which seems to me to be its extreme comprehensiveness which must inevitably lead to almost endless discussion and consequent obscuring of the most essential points. An old physician, a friend of mine, is convinced [3] 3. that the one cause which surpasses all others in importance is that which comes under your second head, ‘alleged causes’, in the third division of which under letter ‘B’ you name "mechanical and chemical restraints, evidence of doctors &c." He assures me that this method was introduced to public notice in the book published by M^rs. Besant⁴ and C. Bradlaugh⁵ for which they were I believe punished by a term of imprisonment. It has had a permanent effect and is still taken as a guide by large numbers of [4] 4. persons.

A.R.W.