Last week we quoted from the Star the following paragraph: "It is said that Dr. Alfred Russel Wallace has come to the conclusion that land nationalisation does not by itself offer a sufficient solution of the social problem, and has in consequence proclaimed himself a Socialist." In response to an inquiry from us on the subject, Dr. Wallace kindly writes us as follows:

Parkstone, Dorset, October 7th.

     I did not authorise the paragraph in the Star, and such a bald statement does not at all represent my views. Hitherto I have been doubtful whether Socialism in any form would be the future of humanity, and altogether sceptical of the possibility of carrying out any scheme of Socialism in the present phase of human development. But my opinions on both these points have been changed by a careful study of that remarkable book, 'Looking Backward,' which for the first time--so far as I know--sets forth a practicable and altogether unobjectionable scheme of socialistic life, and solves all the difficulties of the problem in a most complete and satisfactory manner.

     My conclusions as to the practicability and advisability of such a scheme of social economy as Mr. Bellamy expounds in no way affects my advocacy of land nationalisation, which I believe to be--so far as this country is concerned--the indispensable preliminary to any realisation of Mr. Bellamy's views. I shall therefore continue to advocate it as earnestly as I have hitherto done, while I shall not advocate any of the forms of Socialism usually propounded in this country.