Alfred Russel Wallace 



Universe " (now published at Is.), and my later volume, 

 '^ The World of Life," form together a very elaborate, and 

 I think conclusive, scientific argument in favour of the 

 view that the -whole material universe exists and is de- 

 signed for the production of immortal spirits, in the 

 greatest possible diversity of nature, and character, corre- 

 sponding with . . . the almost infinite diversity of that 

 universe, in all its parts and in every detail. . . . — Yours 

 very truly, Alfred K. Wallace. 



P.S. — I am fairly well, but almost past work. — A. R. W. 



To Sir Oliver Lodge 

 Old Orchard, Broadstone, Dorset. October 9, 1913. 



Dear Sir Oliver Lodge, — Owing to ill-health and other 

 causes I have only now been able to finish the perusal 

 of your intensely interesting and instructive Address to 

 the British Association. I cannot, however, refrain from 

 writing to you to express my admiration of it, and 

 especially of the first half of it, in which you discuss the 

 almost infinite variety and complexity of the physical 

 problems involved in the great principle of " continuity " 

 in so clear a manner that outsiders like myself are 

 able to some extent to apprehend them. I am especially 

 pleased to find that you uphold the actual existence and 

 continuity of the ether as scientifically established, 

 and reject the doubts of some mathematicians as to 

 the reality and perfect continuity of space and time as 

 unthinkable. 



The latter part of the Address is even more important, 

 and is especially notable for your clear and positive state- 

 ments as to the evidence in all life-process of a " guiding " 

 Mind. I can hardly suppose that you can have found time 

 to read my rather discursive and laboured volume on " The 



178 



