308 LETTERS TO PROFESSOR WALLACE [CHAP. xxv. 



signature, begging for information as to how to prevent 

 their ravages in the lee-chee orchards in China. It seems 

 very odd (in the present state of affairs especially) that the 

 Chinese Government should consult me. 1 However, the 

 treatment wanted was plain, so I hope I did not do wrong 

 in replying as he wished. 



October 16, 1900. 



Lord Grimthorpe is very much interested about your 

 Indian Famine lecture, and he would very much like to 

 have a copy. 2 I think he will do what he can to study it, 

 likewise expect me to give him so much commentary as I 

 can ; not much this, I am afraid. 



I assure you your little visit was a great pleasure to 

 me. These excellent talks freshen me up delightfully for 

 dry work. I shall look forward to some more in due time. 



October 21, 1900. 



I do not know how to thank you for this kind gift. 3 I 

 know how to value such a literary treasure, and to me it is 

 of exceeding interest also ; but as your gift to me I treasure 

 it much, and gratefully thank you for your kind thought. 

 The twelve copies of " Indian Famine" preceded it an hour 

 or two yesterday afternoon, and I am reading it carefully 

 and slowly (that I may thoroughly appreciate it), and with 

 great admiration ; indeed, I think such a clear condensation 

 of the mass of information to be dealt with is splendid. I 

 have sent copies to Lord Grimthorpe, the Bishop of St. 

 Albans, &c. 



With my very kind regards and grateful thanks for all the 

 help you give me, which is a great deal more than probably 

 you have any idea of. 



October 26, 1900. 



I am delighted to read both the letters you send, but what 

 an especial pleasure it must be to you to have the nice 

 courteous message of acceptance sent by our good Queen. 

 [In acknowledgment of a copy of the address on " Famine 



1 We were at the time actually at war with China, although nominally 

 the united Powers of Europe were fighting the Boxers. 



2 A digest of the Indian Famine Commission Reports down to 

 October, 1898, read as the Inaugural Address on the opening of the 

 course of " Garton Lectures" on Colonial and Indian Agriculture. 

 Published by Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh. 



3 A copy of Quasi Cursores, portraits of the high officials and 

 professors of the University of Edinburgh and its Tercentenary Festival. 

 Drawn and etched by William Hole, A.R.S.A. David Douglas, Edin- 

 burgh, 1884. 



