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  Anderton, nr Chorley Lancashire, England Dear Walt

The American Mail has not come in yet—delayed probably by the gales we are having. We look forward anxiously to its arrival, hoping that it will bring tidings of continued improvement & increasing strength.

The wind is blowing "great guns" as I write, yesterday & today having been very stormy, with showers of   hail and rain.

Geo Humphreys came here on Saturday afternoon & spent the afternoon & evening with me. We spent most of the time reading & talking about you. I never had a more appreciative auditor. I read quite a lot aloud, including nearly all the Preface to the 1855 edition, & he seemed quite entranced, & thrilled as if he were receiving a succession of electric shocks.—I happened to have a reprint of the Preface (given me by Dr Bucke) which I gave him.

 

I met a work mate of his the other week who told me what a powerful influence Humphreys has on his mates. "He has made new men of us" he said. He has gathered quite a large group round him—nicknamed "the School"—with whom he talks on social questions & incites to read—Carlyle for instance. He is the chief founder of what they call the ["]Co-operative Commonwealth" in Bolton—socialistic in theory & aims—which began a few years ago with a capital of 10s/- & & is now prospering wonderfully.   Fifteen persons are regularly employed—weaving &c—including a few women—& they are just purchasing new premises for which they are paying £1900!

Humphreys is a very likeable fellow indeed—earnest & active with a winning sympathy & kindliness of manner very attractive to me. He is well read & thoughtful & is a man I am heartily glad to be friends with. I am sure that he will prove to be (as he has been in the past) a centre of beneficial influence to many others. And he is wonderfully advanced   in his appreciation of L of G & his love for their author. And he is "as proud as a dog with two tails" of the copy you sent him.

I had a brief letter from Carpenter yesterday. He is at York just now & very busy. He talks of coming here some time before long.

I was at Johnston's last night for a short time. He was quite well after a busy day. The rest of the friends are all well & moving along as usual.

It is a great joy to me to write to you again   with a reasonable hope of your being able to read it. Even if you do not read it it will serve as a token of love & best wishes which are the same always & come from my deepest heart.

Yours affectionately J. W. Wallace