WCP4558

[1]

Old Orchard,

Broadstone,

Wimborne.

Nov^r. 16^th. 1908

My dear Meldola

Many thanks for your kind congratulations. The double event within a a[sic] week was an astonishment.

I have been ill & am only now getting back my strength, & till all these "Congratulations" are acknowledged & out of the way, I cannot settle to begin my "lecture" — which I should never have undertaken but that a new idea suddenly [2] came to me, & I felt that I must try to develop it. When the lecture is announced you will see it indicated in the Title. I think I can put Darwinism in a new light, so as to leave "Mutationism" &c. &c. nowhere! If I can do it properly! Not a word line written yet, but subject sketched out. As to your kind invitation — I have other arrangements [3] in view. At present it is uncertain I shall be able to go at all.

Yours very truly| Alfred R. Wallace [signature]