WCP4517

[1]

Parkstone, Dorset.

Nov^r. 24th. 1890

My dear Meldola¹

Many thanks for your kind invitation, but the reason I have not been to you of late is twofold. In the first place whenever I go northward it is no longer necessary for me to pass through London as the Midland trains vîa Bath & Birmingham are more convenient; and secondly, as I am now so far from London & go there [2] as little as possible, my rare visits give me the only opportunity I have of seeing my sister² who lives in West Brompton, & so I go & have a bed at her house.

Next Monday I have declined going to the Dinner, as I want a quiet evening with my sister, the journey up, & meeting, & dinner would be too much for me.

[3] Give my kind remembrances to your mother & wife³ whom I shall hope to see again perhaps in the summer, or perhaps they will be coming to Bournemouth where I find all the world comes sooner or later.

Yours very faithfully| Alfred R. Wallace [signature]

P.S. We are in the midst of bricks & mortar having bought our cottage & are making alterations & additions to it. A.R.W.