WCP644

[1]

Waldron Edge, Duppas Hill, Croydon.

Dec^r. 9th 1879.

My dear Carruthers¹

My fate was sealed yesterday by the E. F. [Epping Forest] Committee chosing [sic] Mr. McKenzie, a landscape gardener who laid out Alexandra Park, I hear. Of course he had practical knowledge, and they could not conceive that taste or judjment [sic] & appreciation of the beauties of natural and wild scenery were of any importance in comparison. I hear the committee were all very much against my plan of introducing "foreign trees". They want a "true English forest" — and they asked me about this at the meeting yesterday, when of course I assured [2] them that it was merely a suggestion of mine, & that I would carry out any plan they approved of.

Now it is quite amusing that this Committee have already themselves begun planting foreign trees; for according to a careful writer in the "Builder" of Sept 6th., they have planted an avenue of popul Poplars which I hear from residents, are the common Lombardy and Black Poplars! as truly foreign trees as any I proposed but which the Committee no doubt think are British because they are common! Only think of a poplar avenue (straight!) in a forest of which they are ^{bound by Act of Parliament} to preserve the "natural aspect"!

[3] Thanking you for your kind assistance

Believe me | Yours very faithfully | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]