WCP4928

[1]

Frith Hill, Godalming

July 26th. 1882

Dear Sir

I am very much pleased that you approve of my little book on "Land Nationalisation", — and am also glad to find that I have not fallen into any serious blunders in treating of the condition of Scotland of which I know practically nothing.

It was my conviction of the immense importance of the subject, and my regret to see its real and essential points so completely overlooked, and, [2] consequently the most absurdly inadequate remedies proposed, that determined me to attempt a sketch of the land question as a whole, and urge upon political thinkers the necessity of a radical cure. I not think any Bismarck or Von Stein is needed for us. No stateman could carry such a measure in England against the will of the people, and when that will is clearly pronounced any stateman that may be in power must carry it. The people of England have political power which the [3] people of Germany had not. My proposal is hardly more repugnant to Landlord ideas than the repeal of the Corn Laws was, yet they submitted to that,— or than the abolition of free-contract as to rents in Ireland — yet they have submitted to that. It is simply a case of educating the people — of convincing them that landlordism is a political blunder & a social enormity in the present day, & that it is inconsistent with true freedom. My great difficulty is that I have no political weight to compel the press to even notice [4] my book. They will bunke[?] it by the conspiracy of silence. In this you can help me, if you will write an article on it for some good magazine or Review, and induce any editors of your acquaintance to give it fair notice.

I thank you very much for your beautiful & interesting volume, which I shall read at my earliest leisure. I have ^read the chapters on Highland Clearance &c. They will do much good, but people will say — "That is all past." I have tried to show them that it has gone on to this very day. I am not afraid of an action of libel.

Yours very faithfully | Alfred R. Wallace[signature]

[To] Prof. Blackie