WCP644

[1]

Waldron Edge, Duppas Hill, Croydon.

Dec^r. 9th^. 1879.

My dear Carruthers

My fate was sealed yesterday by the E.F. 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 a[nd] 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 began planting foreign trees; for according to a careful writer in the "Builder" of Sept[ember] 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

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