WCP53

[1]

Parkstone, Dorset.

May 25th. 1902

My dear Will¹

Hardly any news this week. The roof is getting on, but as it is a rather complex one it takes time to fit all the timbers. The walls too are so nearly finished that one of the bricklayers will be discharged this week & a carpenter engaged instead, as 2 bricklayers can now keep up with the carpenters, and can also get one with the drains &c. the concrete floors, & the tiling (when we get the tiles). We are waiting for the "Monogram" from the Jennings’ for the bricklayers to finished the E. end chimney.

I am glad you had a nice [2] time at Keswick & went up Skiddaw. I suppose the top is rather a rounded ridge & not very interesting though high. The Castle Rock is very pretty but the view of Derwentwater from The Terrace Road, about 2 miles N.^W. of Keswick is even finer. I think Helvellyn, or the Langdale Pikes are much finer mountains, but the Sea Fell Pikes are the finest of all & next time you go to the Lakes [illeg.] you should try & go up them, as the precipices & peaks are so grand.

[3] At last we have a sudden burst into Summer after one of the most continuously cold & dry springs I remember, though the spring when Nutwood² was building was nearly as bad.

We have a kind of offer from a doctor here to take Corfe View³ on a 7 year lease with the option of purchase, but he offers only £.60. a year & will want it all done up, — which is only £.50 after paying the ground-rent. I asked £70 — or £65 if he did the painting &c.

What do you think?

Your affectionate Pa | Alfred R. Wallace — [signature]

[4] [in pencil in WGW’s hand] Ans^d 29 May