WCP85

[1]

Broadstone, Dorset.

Feb^y. 12^th. 1904

My dear Will¹

I have made two copies of the Will, got them both witnessed by the Manager of the Poole Bank (Mr. Parry) and his head clerk a cashier; sent one to Mr. Marshall & kept the other in my fireproof safe. On thinking it over I am afraid the idea of the Bungalow would not be of much use, besides which, even the smallest would cost £500 or £600 besides £150 for land, and the money is not to be had. But chiefly, I do not see what use it would be, for the following reasons. If Violet² gets up a small school of infant boarders then I think Ma³ & V[iolet] can live here comfortably. But if that fails Violet will take some post again either in a school or private house (as she was very near doing last month) [2] and in that case Ma would let this house furnished, and go abroad somewhere as she longs to do, and could do comfortably. When the house was not let she could live in it just to keep it in order, and find some one to share expenses with her. In either case neither she nor Violet would I am sure care about being in the small bungalow either alone or together. However, this matter can be discussed all together when you next come home if you wish to do so. I have no objection to the plan at all, except that I do not think Ma & Violet will care much about it even if it becomes possible.

The horrid weather — eternally wet — prevents my bronchitis getting well, but when gone I must get regularly to work on my Autobiography or [3] "Memories". My agent has already made an agreement for it with Chapman & Hall on same terms as Man’s Place, & is trying to arrange for America. I think I shall go pretty straight ahead when I once begin. Try & think of a good original title for it. What think you of — "Thoughts and Memories of

a Rolling Stone"-

or "of a Wanderer"- since I have lived for months or years in more different places & houses than most people.

There is a dreadful blow-up about poor "Leonainie". An American in London has written to me, that a well-known American writer or poet — John^ames Whitcomb Riley⁴ — is the author, and it is published ^printed in Vol. IX. of his collected works just published!

[4] He wrote it to imitate Poe⁵, put it in an old school book with Poe’s initials, & hid it somewhere where it was sure to be found. It was found, printed in the papers as Poe’s, and all the chief critics accepted it as genuine! This must have been about 20 years ago. Then Riley claimed it and, they say, proved that he wrote it, and from an almost unknown and struggling writer of verses he became celebrated! They say he has written other poems equal to "Leonainie" or better. I want to see them but cannot get his poems.

It seems to me quite possible that he found "Leonainie", & when he saw that it was unknown, adopted the dodge of hiding it, & when he was sure no one else knew of its precious existence, claimed it as his own. But one never knows! Only I do not see that we should accept it on an unknown writer’s word, unless he has written others as good, which remains to be seen.

Your affectionate Pa | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]

[5] P.S.

The artist’s name is Rothenstein. He is a friend of Hudson of La Plata, & is a Socialist, and a very pleasant and advanced youngish man. He stayed a night & worked all the morning at my [1 word illeg.] & part of the afternoon. I have not seen the result, but he will send me lithograph proof if it turns out well.

Fred. Birch⁶ has been in London a week at B[ritish]. Mus[eum]. & looking for an Agent &c. Then he came here from Sat[urday]. to Tuesday, when he went to Oxford to Prof. Poulton’s⁷ for two days. He will now be at home making final preparations for his start in about a month — probably for Trinidad first & then to Brit[ish]. Guiana. His address is 23, Oxford Street, Wavertree Liverpool. if you care about giving him a call. Sir Alfred Jones⁸, the great fruit-shipping man, has offered him a passage to Jamaica 1st class for £8, but we are doubtful whether it [6] will not cost so much extra staying perhaps a week ^{or more} there & then passage on to Trinidad, as paying full passage to Trinidad direct. Have you any book or paper in your Office giving all Colonial Shipping news, so that we can tell how often there is communication from Jamaica to Trinidad, & what are the fares. If so just look it up & inform me.

A.R.W.

The Outcast⁹

‘Pax Vobiscum’ said the friar as with solemn Tread

He left the proud & poorly Prior with bow’d & lowl humble head.

And ever as the Sun rose higher more distant grew the stately

spire

But buoyed by faiths fanatic fire his falt’ring footsteps fled.

____________________

He’d roused the abbots awful ire by words too freely said

About the chanting of the choir, about the wine & bread

About the sermons growing drier about the devilish desire

For flavoured food and soft attire, which sinful souls misled.

As evening mists spread o’er the shire by warmth & dampness

bred

The mournful work began to tire his feet became as lead

At last he sought a bow’ry byre, strewn with moss,

o’ergrown with briar

And softly mutt’ring Av’ Maria he sank down and

was DEAD

11—11-30 PM

Feb 23 1904

W. G. W.