WCP427

[1]

Boston Nov^r. 22. 1886¹

My dear Annie²

I have just today received the first letter from you after thinking that you never meant to write at all and after I have been a whole month in America. I have been for 3 days in a country very like Wales & went to see a waterfall, very pretty with fine ferns rocky banks. I got some of the commonest fern a very handsome evergreen which I think we have not got — Polystichum acrostichoides — There are 3 – 4 plants in a tin box I have just posted to you and in the same box 4 or 5 cocoons with chrysalises of fine moths — for Willie.³ They should be hung up by the thin end in his breeding cage and kept in a cool airy place & will no doubt come out next spring or summer. The place in Williamstown in the N. W. corner [2] of Massachusetts. I staid with D^r. Carter⁴ the President of the College who has a daughter something like Violet, only 21. He asked me to come again in the summer to see the flowers which abound. Cypripedium spectabile is quite common and about a dozen other pretty pretty orchids some of them very fine, and most of the other American bog plants. I have sent seeds for a beautiful gentian for your papa.⁵

We have very good tea though unequal sometimes weak sometimes strong, but as there is always unlimited cream I do very well. Somehow yesterday on my way home I caught my first cold in America. I had a warm bath last night which has made it much better, but as I have to lecture 3 nights running & travel 100 miles to one of them tomorrow I am [3] rather afraid of my voice. I shall however wear my respirator whenever I go out & wrap warm. I wish I had not brought so many things as the packing is so troublesome. I think before I leave Boston finally I must send some of them home if worth it. I cannot write more now as I am tried & must rest.

With kind love to all | Believe me | Your affectionate Husband | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]

P.S. The people are getting to be quite oppressively kind & respectful. ARW.