God. I know one must
work, in the meantime (so says Balzac) _comme le mineur enfoui sous un
eboulement_.

_J'y parviendrai, nom de nom de nom!_ But it's a long look
forward.--Ever yours,

R. L. S.

TO MRS. SITWELL

As the spring advanced Stevenson had again been much out of sorts,
and had gone for a change, in the company of Mr. R. A. M. Stevenson,
on his first visit to the artist haunts of Fontainebleau which were
afterwards so much endeared to him.

[_Barbizon, April 1875._]

MY DEAR FRIEND,--This is just a line to say I am well and happy. I am
here in my dear forest all day in the open air. It is very be--no, not
beautiful exactly, just now, but very bright and living. There are one
or two song birds and a cuckoo; all the fruit-trees are in flower, and
the beeches make sunshine in a shady place. I begin to go all right; you
need not be vexed about my health; I really was ill at first, as bad as
I have been for nearly a year; but the forest begins to work, and the
air, and the sun, and the smell of the pines. If I could stay a month
here, I should be as right as possible. Thanks for your letter.--Your
faithful

R. L. S.

TO MRS. SITWELL

[_Swanston, Tuesday, April 1875._]

MY DEAR FRIEND,--I have been so busy, away to Bridge of Allan with my
father first, and then with Simpson and Baxter out here from Saturday
till Monday. I had no time to write, and, as it is, am strangely
incapable. Thanks for your letter. I have been reading such lots of law,
and it seems to take away the power of writing from me. From morning to
night, so often as I have a spare moment, I am in the embrace of a law
book--barren embraces. I am in good spirits; and my heart smites me as
usual, when I am in good spirits, about my parents. If I get a bit dull,
I am away to London without a scruple; but so long as my heart keeps up,
I am all for my parents.

What do you think of Henley's hospital verses?[19] They were to have
been dedicated to me, but Stephen wouldn't allow it--said it would be
pretentious.

_Wednesday._--I meant to have made this quite a decent letter this
morning, but listen. I had pain all last night, and did not sleep well,
and now am cold and sickish, and strung up ever and again with another
flash of pain. Will you remember me to everybody? My principal
characteristics are cold, poverty, and Scots Law--three very bad things.
Oo, how the rain falls! The mist is quit