WCP4346

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Pen y bryn, St. Peter’s R^d., Croydon

April 17^th 1881

My dear D^r. Ingleby

Many thanks for your kind congratulations.

I had not heard that Bates was a fellow the Royal Society,— but I presume he was elected in their usual way. I myself set no value on such things & I myself have been a fellow 10 years ago. It merely involves going through the regular forms & a payment of £40-£50 which I have not to spare. By-the-bye a Russian professor was with me [2] the other day who told me that in their Royal Society— the "Imperial Academy of St. Petersburgh[sic.]"— the fellows receive each a salary of £500 a year! That is a substantial honour!

As to the Fletchers¹ I have the firmest confidence that they are not impostors as regards their mediumship & therefore that the sentence was unjust. I have received more benefit from Fletcher than from any medium I know, & I have always found him & his [3] wife well mannered & honest. As to their moral character in other matters I of course know nothing,— but it is evident (from her own confession) that the accuser— Mrs Hart Davies²— is not to be believed in her oath.

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

P.S. After May 5^th my address will be— Nutwood Cottage Godalming Surrey