by men who always tended to be mere money-grabbers, selfish savages let loose.  In answer I mentioned the abuses of officialdom, as seen by me from the inside in Burma, and he agreed that the mental and moral superiority of many kinds of Asiatics to the Europeans who want to boss them made detailed European administration an absurdity.  We should leave these peoples to develop in their own way.  Having conquered Burma and India, he proceeded, the English should take warning from history and restrict themselves to keeping the peace, and protecting the countries they had taken.  They should give every province as much home rule as possible and as soon as possible, and study to avoid becoming parasites.—­D.A.W.

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We may fittingly conclude this brief summary of Wallace’s social views and ideals by citing his own reply to the question:  “Why am I a Socialist?” “I am a Socialist because I believe that the highest law for mankind is justice.  I therefore take for my motto, ’Fiat Justitia, Ruat Coelum’; and my definition of Socialism is, ’The use, by everyone, of his faculties for the common good, and the voluntary organisation of labour for the equal benefit of all.’  That is absolute social justice; that is ideal Socialism.  It is, therefore, the guiding star for all true social reform.”

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He corresponded with Miss Buckley not only on scientific but also on public questions and social problems: 

TO MISS BUCKLEY

Rosehill, Dorking.  Sunday, [?  December, 1878].

Dear Miss Buckley,—­ ...  How wonderfully the Russians have got on since you left!  A very little more and the Turkish Government might be turned out of Europe—­even now it might be with the greatest ease if our Government would join in giving them the last kick.  Whatever power they retain in Europe will most certainly involve another war before twenty years are over.—­Yours very faithfully,

ALFRED R. WALLACE.

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TO MISS BUCKLEY

Waldron Edge, Croydon.  May 2, 1879.

Dear Miss Buckley,—­ ...  My “Reciprocity” article seems to have produced a slight effect on the Spectator, though it did snub me at first, but it is perfectly sickening to read the stuff spoken and written, in Parliament and in all the newspapers, about the subject, all treating our present practice as something holy and immutable, whatever bad effects it may produce, and though it is not in any way “free trade” and would I believe have been given up both by Adam Smith and Cobden.—­Yours very faithfully,

ALFRED R. WALLACE.

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He was always ready, even eager, to discuss his social and land nationalisation principles with his scientific friends, with members of his own family, and indeed with anyone who would lend a willing ear.