Early Letters 



now about a thousand beetles to Mr. Stevens, and I have 

 as many other insects still on hand which will form part 

 of my next and principal consignment. Singapore is very 

 rich in beetles, and before I leave I think I shall have a 

 most beautiful collection. 



I will tell you how my day is now occupied. Get up at 

 half-past five. Bath and coffee. Sit down to arrange and 

 put away my insects of the day before, and set them safe 

 out to dry. Charles mending nets, filling pincushions, 

 and getting ready for the day. Breakfast at eight. Out 

 to the jungle at nine. We have to walk up a steep hill to 

 get to it, and always arrive dripping with perspiration. 

 Then we wander about till two or three, generally return- 

 ing with about 50 or 60 beetles, some very rare and beautiful. 

 Bathe, change clothes, and sit down to kill and pin insects. 

 Charles ditto with flies, bugs and wasps ; I do not trust him 

 yet with beetles. Dinner at four. Then to work again till 

 six. Coffee. Read. If very numerous, work at insects till 

 eight or nine. Then to bed. 



Adieu, with love to all. — Your affectionate son, 



Alfred R. Wallace. 

 To His Mother 



In the Jungle near Malacca. July, 1854. 



My dear Mother, — As this letter may be delayed getting 

 to Singapore I write at once, having an opportunity of 

 sending to Malacca to-morrow. We have been here a 

 week, living in a Chinese house or shed, which reminds 

 me remarkably of my old Rio Negro habitation. I have 

 now for the first time brought my '' rede '' into use, and 

 find it very comfortable. 



We came from Singapore in a small schooner with about 

 fifty Chinese, Hindoos and Portuguese passengers, and were 

 E 49 



