* * * * *

But we must not be tempted into further disquisition.  As he grew older the public Press as well as his friends celebrated his birthdays.  Congratulations by telegram and letter poured in upon him and gave him great pleasure.  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 babbling 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! 
      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 follow’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 we 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!

  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 health was failing, and he sat wrapped up before a fire in his study, though it was a warm day.  He could not walk round his garden with me as before, but pointed to the little plot of ground in front of the French windows of his study—­where he had moved some of his rarer primulas and other plants he was engaged in hybridising—­and which he could just manage to visit.  His eyesight and hearing seemed as good as ever, and his intellectual power was undimmed....

Dr. Wallace then, pointing to the beautiful expanse of garden, woodland and sea which was visible from the large study windows, burst forth with vigorous gesticulation and flashing eyes:  “Just think!  All this wonderful beauty