WCP6930

[1]

Broadstone, Wimborne.

Dec^r. 26th, 1906

Dear Mr. Slater

Accept my sympathy for your loss of so near a relative, though under the sad circumstances of her affliction I suppose it was by no means unexpected.

There are two papers by Spuce I have not yet got (in the List sent by Mr. Stabler[?] which I return). They are 29- & 30- On Venomous Reptiles, &c, & on Narcotics. I shall be glad to have separate copies of these, as part of them if not all may be worth reprinted. [2]

I do not care about having more of his letters, unless they were either written from South America, or give some special information about his travels.

I have lately got a quantity of Spruce's letters — over 200, to Mr. Daniel Hanbury, but only a few of them from Peru. Also a large number to the late Mr William Borrer beginning in January 1844, & I am sure there are some earlier — After Mr Borrer's death they were given ^{by the family} to Mr. Mitten. They give some very interesting facts as to Spruce's early life, & his relations with Sir William Hooker. They will be useful for a short [3] biographical sketch of Spruce which I should like to give as an introduction. If you know any persons with whom he corresponded still earlier, I should much like to know, so as to have some account of when he first began to study plants and especially mosses.

I suppose you have not yet seen Mr. Teasdale, as you said you would. I have found in one of Spruce's books, a full list & descriptions of the Coloured drawings of Quito costumes &c. He says they were made for him by a native artist — 44 in number. They are therefore perhaps unique, & would be perhaps, if good, worth reproducing [3] in colour printing, & might add to the book interest of the book. Do you know if they were given to Mr Teasdale or only lent to him [?] I presume Spruce must have though of adding them as illustrations. Surely they cannot be lost !

With best wishes for the New Year

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