WCP4929

[1]

Frith Hill, Godalming

August 1st. 1882

Dear Professor Blackie

The Thunderbolt has fallen on me also! Mr. Sellar, of whose existence I did not know, has been to my publisher and frightened him into stopping the sale of my book. He objects to certain statements as untrue, and to all the evidence of Donald Mc^cLeod which I quote at second hand from Mr Mackenzie’s pamphlet, as having been proved false at the trial. Of course had I known that sons of Sellar were living I should not have mentioned his name and I have now offered to have [2] his name taken out of all the remaining copies of my book. But I should like very much to see the Report of the Trial which you refer to. Can it be had now? or Could you favour me with the loan of your copy of it, as I want to see for myself who were the witnesses & how far the facts stated by Mc^cLeod were proved or disproved. Mr Sellar has printed a vindication, ^as against me, of which you will no doubt receive a copy soon, & he says he is going to stop Mackenzie’s pamphlet [3] Do you know Mr. Mackenzie and what he is likely to do?

Believe me | yours very faithfully | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]

P.S. When was Mc^cLeod’s book or letter first published, and were they objected to or made the subject of any prosecution at the time? If not, is it not too late (legally) to object to their being quoted now. A.R.W.