WCP5222

[1]

Pen-y-bryn, St. Peter's Road.

Croydon.

Nov[ember]. 13th. 1880

Dear Mr. Massey

I have received the sheets of the 1st. Vol[ume]. of your great work¹ from the printers, but from a hasty glance at it I fear it is far removed from any subjects of which I have knowledge that my opinion of it would be of no value even if I could form one. For mythology & ancient lore I have never had much taste or, to tell the truth, much respect. It has always seemed to me that [2] it is past time to investigate the endless gropings after truth of the ancients, when we have among us men of equal mental capacity who, with a far wider knowledge & comprehension of the universe start from a more elevated stand-point and arrive at more intelligible as well as at more probably & more harmonious results. At the same time philology has always had a certain fascination for me, & I shall read your book as soon as I can find time, with much interest. I have just been staying a few days with a friend [3] of yours D^r. Norris of Birmingham² with whom I spoke of you & your work.

I do not think there is any doubt that a work of such immense labor & research will attract the attention of a large clan of readers infinitely better able than I to appreciate its merits.

Thanking you for sending it me and for your letter

I remain | Yours very faithfully | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]