WCP5754

[1] [p. 211]

TO MRS. FISHER¹

Broadstone, Wimborne. April 20, 1906.

My dear Mrs. Fisher, — If you mean "honest" by "thoroughly reliable," there are plenty of such mediums, but if you mean those who give equally good results always, and to all persons, I should say there are none…

I am reading Herbert Spencer’s "Autobiography" (just finished Vol. I.). I find it very interesting, though tedious in parts. I am glad I did not read it before I wrote mine. He certainly brings out his own character most strikingly, and a wonderful character it was. How extraordinarily little he owed either to teaching or to reading! I think he is best described as a "reasoning genius." — Yours very truly, ALFRED R. WALLACE.