WCP4719

[1]

Broadstone, Wimborne

March 24th. 1906

Dear Mr. Slater

For the last eight or nine years I have been so continuously occupied in literary work, having written 3 entirely new books the last — "My Life" — in two large vols. published in Oct[ober]. last, that I have ^had no time to think of anything else. Besides that, I have built a new house & made a new garden at this place, which I am enjoying much, especially as my health [2] is really better than it was ten years ago. But now that I have a little leisure my thoughts recur to our dear friend Spruce's¹ papers & journals, which I understood you would get in order for publication, & I think I intimated that I might do something in the way of editing if a publisher could be found. I shall therefore be very glad to hear what you have done & whether you have found a complete journal [3] of his South American travels, what is their approximate bulk &c. and any other particulars about them. I will then, if you think proper, ask the advice of Sir Joseph Hooker² & Sir Clements Markham³ — his two chief friends living (besides ourselves) as to whether their publication will be possible, & whether any help can be obtained from the Linnean⁴ or other Societies. I hope you [4] are in good health, & have retired from business, & are enjoying yourself with mosses & flowers. I am growing here every rare plant I can get hold of that will live.

With best wishes & kind remembrances to your daughter, who I hope is quite well[.]

Believe me | Yours very sincerely | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]