WCP43

[1]

Parkstone, Dorset.

March 9th. 1902

My dear Will

We have had fine dry weather this week & the work is going on well. We have 3 bricklayers and 6 labourers now at work, & the cellars are finished up to the ground-line and Bridgewater bricks ordered for the outer face. My payments this week come to near £80, for 24,000 bricks, lime, cement, drain-pipes, ^timbers, carting, & labour.

We have got now all the drawings we require from Mr. Donkin, & shall be able to go straight on, making such alterations as I & Mr. Curtis may decide on. The greenhouse is also being put up, and so many trees & shrubs are planted that the place begins to look quite habitable.

[2] I am so sorry I forgot that you had sent such full particulars of the "Darque". I am quite satisfied now that Acetylene is the thing for us. Bayley of Poole, Parkstone, & Bournemouth, ironmonger, has a patent generator, but he gives no details either of its construction or use. Here is the advantage however of its being local & of having them to fit it up. Will you ask your friend the Railway Inspector if this Generator is one that he has tried? I enclose you the prospectus of it which please return.

When your account came I was very busy & put it away after just glancing at it, & then when I wrote next I forgot that I had all the particulars with the Address. [3] I do not think I will have the gas laid on to any of the bedrooms, as a good light on the upper landing will give a light into every room upstairs when the door is open, enough to go to find anything, or to light a candle, except the large north room & that could have a small window near the ceiling opposite the light, which would then light the whole room. If thought best a small pane of glass could put over the doors of each of the other bedrooms, and then candles would scarcely be wanted. Down stairs of course we would have ample light. One in the lobby opp[osite]. doors of lavatory & w.c. would light them & Vestibule— one in Hall in stair-well would light that well— one in Kitchen & one in Scullery— 2 in Study, 2 in dining room, & perhaps 3 in Drawing room, all on the walls would light them amply, making 12 in all.

[4] Percy Curtis looks after the work & the men, & keeps accounts, and we get on very well, and I think we shall have a fine house very cheaply built, and better in every way than most houses that are sold for double the money. But we shall see.

As it is near post time now I must close up. My next job is to wire all around to keep the rabbits out. If not the gardener assures me we shall not be able to have any vegetables, & many of the shrubs will be killed. He wants to plant cabbages, but he dare not! till they are shut out! But the wire netting is so cheap that it will only cost £2— or £3 to surround the whole with dwarf close netting which with the fence wire & gorse will do.

Your affect[ionate]. Pa | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]