Alfred Russel Wallace: Letters and Reminiscences, Vol. 1 | Page 4

man of genial
temperament, strong character, fond of society," and was the possessor
of great psychic power by which he could readily sum up the characters
of others, and even occasionally read their thoughts. A judicious use of
this gift was frequently found to be more efficacious than actual
medicine! To the end of his life Charles Darwin entertained the greatest
affection and reverence for his father, and frequently spoke of him to
his own children.
From this brief summary of the family history it is easy to perceive the
inherited traits which were combined in the attractive personality of the
great scientist. From his early forbears came the keen love of sport and
outdoor exercise (to which considerable reference is made in his youth
and early manhood); the close application of the philosopher; and the
natural aptitude for collecting specimens of all kinds. To his
grandfather he was doubtless indebted for his poetic imagination,
which, consciously or unconsciously, pervaded his thoughts and
writings, saving them from the cold scientific atmosphere which often
chills the lay mind. Lastly, the geniality of his father was strongly
evidenced by his own love of social intercourse, his courtesy and ready
wit, whilst the gentleness of his mother--who unfortunately died when
he was 7 years old--left a delicacy of feeling which pervaded his
character to the very last.
No such sure mental influences, reaching back through several
generations, can be traced in the records of the Wallace family,
although what is known reveals the source of the dogged perseverance
with which Wallace faced the immense difficulties met with by all
early pioneer travellers, of that happy diversity of mental interests

which helped to relieve his periods of loneliness and inactivity, and of
that quiet determination to pursue to the utmost limit every idea which
impressed his mind as containing the germ of a wider and more
comprehensive truth than had yet been generally recognised and
accepted.
The innate reticence and shyness of manner which were noticeable all
through his life covered a large-heartedness even in the most careful
observation of facts, and produced a tolerant disposition towards his
fellow-men even when he most disagreed with their views or dogmas.
He was one of those of whom it may be truly said in hackneyed phrases
that he was "born great," whilst destined to have "greatness thrust upon
him" in the shape of honours which he received with hesitation.
From his autobiography we gather that his father, though dimly tracing
his descent from the famous Wallace of Stirling, was born at Hanworth,
in Middlesex, where there appears to have been a small colony of
residents bearing the same name but occupying varied social positions,
from admiral to hotel-keeper--the grandfather of Alfred Russel Wallace
being known as a victualler. Thomas Vere Wallace was the only son of
this worthy innkeeper; and, being possessed of somewhat wider
ambitions than a country life offered, was articled to a solicitor in
London, and eventually became an attorney-at-law. On his father's
death he inherited a small private income, and, not being of an
energetic disposition, he preferred to live quietly on it instead of
continuing his practice. His main interests were somewhat literary and
artistic, but without any definite aim; and this lack of natural energy,
mental and physical, reappeared in most of the nine children
subsequently born to him, including Alfred Russel, who realised that
had it not been for the one definite interest which gradually determined
his course in life (an interest demanding steady perseverance and
concentrated thought as well as physical enterprise), his career might
easily have been much less useful.
It was undoubtedly from his father that he acquired an appreciation of
good literature, as they were in the habit of hearing Shakespeare and
similar works read aloud round the fireside on winter nights; whilst

from his mother came artistic and business-like instincts--several of her
relatives having been architects of no mean skill, combining with their
art sound business qualities which placed them in positions of civic
authority and brought them the respect due to men of upright character
and good parts.
During the chequered experiences which followed the marriage of
Thomas Vere Wallace and Mary Ann Greenell there appears to have
been complete mutual affection and understanding. Although Wallace
makes but slight reference to his mother's character and habits, one may
readily conclude that her disposition and influence were such as to
leave an indelible impression for good on the minds of her children,
amongst her qualities being a talent for not merely accepting
circumstances but in a quiet way making the most of each experience
as it came--a talent which we find repeated on many occasions in the
life of her son Alfred.
It is a little curious that each of these great scientists should have been