Give my kind love to mother, to whom I will write next time.--Your
affectionate brother,
ALFRED R. WALLACE.
* * * * *
TO G. SILK[16]
_Singapore. January 20, 1862._
My dear George,-- ... On the question of marriage we probably differ
much. I believe a good wife to be the greatest blessing a man can enjoy,
and the only road to happiness, but the qualifications I should look for
are probably not such as would satisfy you. My opinions have changed
much on this point: I now look at intellectual companionship as quite a
secondary matter, and should my good stars ever send me an affectionate,
good-tempered and domestic wife, I shall care not one iota for
accomplishments or even for education.
I cannot write more now. I do not yet know how long I shall be here,
perhaps a month. Then ho! for England!--In haste, yours most
affectionately,
ALFRED R. WALLACE.
PART II
I.--The Discovery of Natural Selection
"There are not many joys in human life equal to the joy of the
sudden birth of a generalisation, illuminating the mind after a
long period of patient research.
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