Alfred Russel Wallace 



Minor poets sang special solos, or joined in the chorus. 

 One example may be quoted : 



ALFRED, RUSSEL WALLACE 

 8th January, 1911 



A little cot back'd by a wood-fring'd height, 



Where sylvan Usk runs swiftly babbUng by : 



Here thy young eyes first look'd on earth and sky, 



And all the wonders of the day and night ; 



O born interpreter of Nature's might. 



Lord of the quiet heart and seeing eye. 

 Vast is our debt to thee we'll ne'er deny, 



Though some may own it in their own despite. 



Now after fourscore teeming years and seven, 



Our hearts are jocund that we have thee still 

 A refuge in this world of good and ill. 



When evil triumphs and our souls are riv'n ; 



A friend to all the friendless under heav'n ; 

 A foe to fraud and all the lusts that kill. 



O champion of the Truth, whate'er it be I 



World-wand'rer over this terrestrial frame ; 



Twin-named with Darwin on the roll of fame ; 

 This day we render homage unto thee ; 

 For in thy steps o'er alien land and sea, 



Where life burns fast and tropic splendours flame, 



Oft have we foUow'd with sincere acclaim 

 To mark thee unfold Nature's mystery. 

 For this we thank thee, yet one thing remains 



Shall shrine thee deeper in the heart of man. 



In ages yet to be when v/e are dust ; 

 Thou hast put forth thy hand to rend our chains, 



Our birthright to restore from feudal ban ; 



O righteous soul, magnanimous and just 1 



W. Braunston Jones. 



Sir William Barrett, one of Wallace's oldest friends, 

 visited him during the last year of his life, and thus 

 describes the visit : 



In the early summer of 1913, some six months before 

 his death, I had the pleasure of paying another visit and 

 spending a delightful afternoon with my old friend. His 



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