WCP6757

[1]

¹

The Vine,

Sevenoaks

Kent

New Years Eve, 1891

My dear Misses Shore²,

I have been far too long in thanking you, as I now none the less cordially do, for your last very kind note to me.

So some amends, permit me to offer for your acceptance the two enclosed notes from the eminent naturalist Dr A.R. Wallace, with copies of my replies attached, in relation to am ancient Australian relic which your brother Macwortth³found whilst we were together at Maryborough.

One of you, I believe, has a collection of autographs, and perhaps, some day or other, I may be able to offer you another or two, if I know in the meantime those specially wished for, at least of people alive here since we have bee acquainted.

I know not whether you incline to the fatalist belief, but whilst we see how little apparently changes affairs in life.

"A pebble in the streamlet scant

Has changed the course of many a river;

A dewdrop on the baby plant

Has warped the giant oak forever"

[2]We cannot help thinking that had Mackworth received what he should have done from the Victorian Government how different his fate and future here might have been. Still, as one who has had his share of ? sorrows, and who has striven to ? something of life and its future state, I w[oul]d generally say to the departed "Blessed be thy chge change: I w[oul]d not see thee of this world again."

In some records of our Psychological experiences, which I am making extracts from to aid in so demonstrating the personal immorality of the race, for the Psychical Research Society I briefly refer to a communication from Mackworth by initials thought he was not then able to say more than a few words, he seemed to convey the comforting impression that his death was as sudden as if he had been shot through the brain — suggesting to me that he probably struck his head, and became unconscious ere his body reached [3] its sea grave. Though several preping reforms have since absorbed my main care, and rendered my state much less suitable for communion with the "Summerland", I am none the less as intensely interested as ever in what should be the most interesting of as quiries to us. Dr Wallace's most interesting recent article on the subject — in the American Arena — I have by me, and I deem it unanswerable.

As to Home Rule, I of cause feel strongly with Ireland, and trust ere long that its English Governmental oppression may cease with the much needed freedom from Home legislation to be effected. But, apart from the present Governing rorts of Ireland, I see not why Scotland & Wales should not equally manage their home affairs on essentially the same basis as that of Ireland amongst of cause subject to the Imperial authority of the Imperial Parl[iment] on Imperial questions. Thus would the latter be wisely released of much work that it cannot now adequately do, which greatly delays of essential reforms of General importance to the Kingdom.

[4] A similar system to the separate State Governments of Federated America would perhaps be best, and, so I trust; hasten the cuming of the British Republic. Till the monarchy is gone with its mountebank and largely rotten "Aristocracy", we cannot nearly realise how radically mainly the soils of the community are due such clap privileges, monopoly, and their evil example.

Hoping that you have settled your home difficulty satisfactorily please will both accept the best wishes that so unconscionable a correspondent can offer you, and believe me always very sincerely yours

A.C. Swinton⁴