WCP63

[1]

[in pencil in WGW’s hand] Sir Brandon

Parkstone, Dorset.

Sept^r.. 13th. 1902

My dear Will¹

Although you will miss Violet^{2 who has to return next Saturday} pray come on Monday 22nd. to Broadstone, where you will find us in "diggings" on the way to the "Old Orchard"; at Mrs. Clarke’s (mother of our Engineer) — first house on the right down road opposite Post Office ⁽you ^{will have a bed next door)}. There will be plenty to do, as the house will be chocked with furniture, and Percy & his mates will be hard at work finishing rooms, or more probably at balconies; and you may help in fixing window-fastenings & stays, putting up blind-rollers & curtain poles &c. &c. At last moment we cannot [2] have the Compo-board for ceilings as, on sending our order we have just heard that this factory was burnt down a month since, & that they have only a thick heavy kind both unsuitable & expensive. So Percy will put up some arrangement of match-boarding in the Study, have the Hall & Drawing room plastered, & (I think), leave the Dining Room to be also ceilinged with wood, in some way which our experience in the Study may suggest.

I cannot write more now as I have to go to the Bank to draw money for weekly wages, and get an advance of £.100, for this months heavy bills — almost [3] I hope the last. We have an Australian Cousin here; Mr. Cha^s. E. C. Wilson³— ^a young doctor, youngest son of Mr. C. A. Wilson⁴ of Adelaide who used to correspond with me.

Another very nice young fellow⁵ a humanitarian & Socialist ^sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Navy (about 18) is coming this evening. He is going to give up the Navy to the great horror of all his friends, because he will not kill a fellow-creature! He was put into the Navy at 14 — is most intelligent, enthusiastic, & earnest, as you may imagine from such conduct. He writes beautiful letters & I like him much. He is now finishing his education at [4] the Royal Naval College at Portsmouth, after which, & before he becomes full lieutenant, he will resign, as if he stays longer he will be looked upon as a deserter.

Your affect^te. Pa | Alfred R. Wallace — [signature]