WCP5594

[1]

Old Orchard,

Broadstone,

Dorset.

11 Nov[ember] [19]13

Private

Kindly address all communications to my permanent London address

42 Great Russell St.

London WC.

Dear Sir,

I received your kind letter of the 10^th at Broadstone this morning.

Last night the subject arose in conversation and the son M^r. W. G. Wallace gave me full particualrs of which I made a note.

M^rs. Wallace is about 65 & is suffering from paralysis which is slowly but inevitably increasing, so that before long she will need the constant services of a nurse. She cannot walk now.

There are two children of the marriage. A son, about 40, who became an electrical engineer but who has been unable to follow his employment for some years owing to an affection of the lungs for which he has been in a sanatorium three times. He is following out the treatment at home, & may be able to take some light employment, but cannot resume his profession.

Some friends are now trying to obtain work for him, but have not succeeded yet. [2] And a daughter, who appears to be 45-8. She teaches a few village children in the house.

They own the leasehold of a house at Parkstone which Dr. Wallace built many years ago, & which is now let on a 7 years lease & realizes, less income tax, £55 per year. They have, however, to keep up the structure & the present lease expires in 3 years. It is probable the tenant may desire to renew it. Then they have £1000 worth of stock converted into a loan ^{at 4%} with the General Reversion & Investment C^o. & estimated to be worth £1500 which brings in a net income of £57/10/-. Out of this they must pay death duties & funeral expenses, which I was informed would amount to £300, thus reducing this source of income £12. So that they will be able whilst the investment lasts to count upon £45/10/- from it. This money was given to them by a friend.

The royalties from his books have steadily fallen & now amount to about £20 a year. Publishers inform me that this may be much less in future now that D^r. Wallace is dead.

The house they live in is their own but nothing has been done to it in the way of repairs & decorations for 11 years. It is estimated that £80 to £100 sh[ou]ld. be spent upon it to prevent further dilapidation. [3] In cash they have £25 in the Bank, and £2 in the house, when he died. He was not insured. They have thus been practically dependent upon the Civil List pension.

Prof. Poulton & Meldola have generously offered to advance them such monies as they may need until something is done to provide for them. It is clearly a matter of urgency, and the sympathy of the Prime Minister encourages us to hope that the £200 per year will be re-voted to the widow & children of this illustrious man, "whose memory," the Dean of Westminster wrote to me today, "is one of which the country may be proud."

I should be happy to call upon you & to furnish any further information. The Wallace's are very independent & sensitive and it is necessary to handle this matter with care in order to avoid giving pain.

Yours v[er]y Faithfully | James Marchant. [signature]