and diversity of nature results from the operation of a few simple laws.  In my early unregenerate days I used to think that only material forces and natural laws were operative throughout the world.  But these I now see are hopelessly inadequate to explain this mystery and wonder and variety of life.  I am, as you know, absolutely convinced that behind and beyond all elementary processes there is a guiding and directive force; a Divine power or hierarchy of powers, ever controlling these processes so that they are tending to more abundant and to higher types of life.”

This led Dr. Wallace to refer to my published lecture on “Creative Thought” and express his hearty concurrence with the line of argument therein; in fact he had already sent me his views, which, with his consent, I published as a postscript to that lecture.

Then our conversation turned upon recent political events, and it was remarkable how closely he had followed, and how heartily he approved, the legislation of the Liberal Government of the day.  His admiration for Mr. Lloyd George was unfeigned.  “To think that I should have lived to see so earnest and democratic a Chancellor of the Exchequer!” he exclaimed, and he confidently awaited still larger measures which would raise the condition of the workers to a higher level; and nothing was more striking than his intense sympathy with every movement for the relief of poverty and the betterment of the wage-earning classes.  The land question, we agreed, lay at the root of the matter, and land nationalisation the true solution.  In fact, ever since I read the proof-sheets of his book on this subject, which he corrected when staying at my house in Kingstown, I have been a member of the Land Nationalisation Society, of which he was President.

Needless to say, Dr. Wallace was an ardent Home Ruler and Free Trader,[71] but on the latter question he said there should be an export duty on coal, especially the South Wales steam coal, as our supply was limited and it was essential for the prosperity of the country—­and “the purchaser pays the duty,” he remarked.  I heartily agreed with him, and said that a small export duty had been placed on coal by the Conservative Government, but subsequently was removed.  This he had forgotten, and when later on I sent him particulars of the duty and its yield, he replied saying that at that time he was so busy with the preparation of a book that he had overlooked the fact.  He wrote most energetically on the importance of the Government being wise in time, and urged at least a 2s. export duty on coal.

We talked about the question of a portrait of Dr. Wallace being painted and presented to the Royal Society, which had been suggested by the Rev. James Marchant, to whom Dr. Wallace referred, when talking to me, in grateful and glowing terms.—­W.F.B.

Perhaps it should be added to Sir William Barrett’s reminiscences that the movement which was set on foot to carry out this project was stayed by Wallace’s death.