Alfred Russel Wallace 



Lord Avbbury to A. R. Wallace 



48 Grosvenor Street, W. May 1, 1910. 



My dear Wallace, — I have been reading your biography 

 with great interest. It must be a source of very pleasant 

 memories to you to look back and feel how much you have 

 accomplished. 



It surprises me, however, how much we differ, and it is 

 another illustration of the problems [?] of our (or rather I 

 should say of my) intellect. 



In some cases, indeed, the difference is as to facts. 



You would, I am sure, for instance, find that you have 

 been misinformed as to '' thousands of dogs" being vivi- 

 sected annually (p. 392). ... As to Spiritualism, my diffi- 

 culty is that nothing comes of it. What has been gained 

 by your seances, compared to your studies ? 



I see you have a kindly reference to our parties at High 

 Elms in old days, on which I often look back with much 

 pleasure, but much regret also. 



If you would give us the pleasure of another visit, do 

 propose yourself, and you will have a very hearty welcome 

 from yours very sincerely, Avebury. 



A lecture delivered by Prof. Barrett before the Quest 

 Society in London, entitled " Creative Thought," was pub- 

 lished by request, and as it discussed the subject of evolu- 

 tion and the impossibility of explaining the phenomena of 

 life without a supreme Directing and Formative Force 

 behind all the manifestations of life, he was anxious to 

 have Wallace's criticisms. At that time he had not read 

 Wallace's recently published work on a similar subject, and 

 he was greatly surprised to find how closely his views agreed 

 with those of the great naturalist. 



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