Social and Political Views 



and the consolidation of small tribes into large societies : and 

 among other things the lapse of land into private ownership 

 has been, like the lapse of individuals into slavery, at one 

 period of the process altogether indispensable. I do not in 

 the least believe that from the primitive system of com- 

 munistic ownership to a high and finished system of State 

 ownership, such as we may look for in the future, there 

 could be any transition without passing through such 

 stages as we have seen and which exist now. Argument 

 aside, however, I should be disinclined to commit myself 

 to any scheme of immediate action, which, as I have in- 

 dicated to you, I believe at present premature. For myself 

 I feel that I have to consider not only what I may do on 

 special questions, but also how the action I take on special 

 questions may affect my general influence : and I am dis- 

 inclined to give more handles against me than are needful. 

 Already, a« you will see by the enclosed circular, I am doing 

 in the way of positive action more than may be altogether 

 prudent.— Sincerely yours, Herbert Spencer. 



A. R. Wallace to Mr. A. C. Swinton 



Frith HiU, Godalming. December 23, 1885. 



My dear Swinton, — ... I have just received an invita- 

 tion to go to lecture in Sydney on Sundays for three months, 

 with an intimation that other lectures can be arranged for in 

 Melbourne and New Zealand. It is tempting ! ... If I had 

 the prospect of clearing £1,000 by a lecturing campaign I 

 would go, though it would require a great effort. ... I did 

 not think it possible even to contemplate going so far again, 

 but the chance of earning a lot of money which would enable 

 me to clear off this house and leave something for my family 

 must be seriously considered. — Yours very truly, 



Alfred R. Wallace. 

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