One of the first and most trenchant critics of the views advanced by Professor Schafer, in his now famous presidential address to the members of British Association, was the venerable Dr. Alfred Russel Wallace, O.M., the great savant who demonstrated the theory of evolution simultaneously with Charles Darwin. Wallace, who is new in his 89th year, has replied with extraordinary vigour to Professor Schafer's claim that the chemist will in time be able to produce all the phenomena of complete life. He declares himself convinced of the existence of a Supreme directing spirit behind all visible manifestations of life and force.

     Mr. John Adams, of Rock Ferry, and one of the Brotherhood speakers for the Southport and Liverpool district, recently wrote to Dr. Wallace, expressing the thanks of the Societies to him for his reply to Professor Schafer’s address. Mr. Adams wished to know if the world may look for any further publication from the veteran scientist's pen, and whether he had any message to convey to the Brotherhood.

     Mr. Adams received on Tuesday last a reply from Dr. Wallace, written in his own hand from Old Orchard, Broadstone, Dorset. The writing is firm and vigorous, and it is difficult to recognise it is that of a man who is well on the way to a hundred years. The letter is as follows:--

Old Orchard, Broadstone, Dorset. September 11th, 1912.
Mr. John Adams.

     Dear Sir.--Thanks for your kind letter. My writing of BOOKS is now finished. Not only does the existence of life and consciousness and reasoning necessitate a greater living cause or origin, but the forces of nature, and MATTER itself which is essentially a group of complex forces, also implies mind. Anything else is unthinkable.

     I send you copy of the last "Christian Commonwealth," with a letter from me and much other interesting matter.

Yours truly, Alfred R. Wallace.