WCP5080

[1]

18^th March [1]901

D^r. Alfred Russel Wallace

Dear Sir,

We are very much obliged by your kind letter of 17^th inst[ance]. M^r. Williams' conduct has greatly disappointed us. He promised so well at first; & had such a considerable knowledge of the requirements of the School Boards, having himself been an elementary teacher under a Board in his earlier years, that we entrusted him with your book without any compunction.

We will await a reply to our last letter to M^r Williams; if we fail to receive a reply, we fear we much conclude that we shall not receive back the proofs, though of what use they can [2] be to M^r. Williams we cannot imagine.

There is only one, unread, set of proofs in existence, & that is in our possession. The copy you had before was the printers' press copy; & that is the one that is either lost or with M^r Williams.

We are, | dear Sir, | Yours very truly | Swan Sonnenschein Co. Ltd. [signature]