hat
ship?"--"Barquentin R. L. S., nine hundred and odd days out from the port
of Bournemouth, homeward bound, with yarns and curiosities."

Who was it said, "For God's sake, don't speak of it!" about Scott and
his tears? He knew what he was saying. The fear of that hour is the
skeleton in all our cupboards; that hour when the pastime and the
livelihood go together; and--I am getting hard of hearing myself; a pore
young child of forty, but new come frae my Mammy, O!

Excuse these follies, and accept the expression of all my
regards.--Yours affectionately,

R. L. STEVENSON.

TO HENRY JAMES

The _Solution_ is a short story of Mr. Henry James, first published
in a periodical and reprinted in the collection called _The Lesson of
the Master_ (Macmillans).

_Union Club, Sydney, February 19, 1890._

HERE--in this excellent civilised, antipodal club smoking-room, I have
just read the first part of your _Solution_. Dear Henry James, it is an
exquisite art; do not be troubled by the shadows of your French
competitors: not one, not de Maupassant, could have done a thing more
clean and fine; dry in touch, but the atmosphere (as in a fine summer
sunset) rich with colour and with perfume. I shall say no more; this
note is De Solutione; except that I--that we--are all your sincere
friends and hope to shake you by the hand in June.

ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON.

signed, sealed and
delivered as his act
and deed
and very thought of very thought,
this nineteenth of February in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred ninety and
nothing.

TO MRS. THOMAS STEVENSON

Written while he was still in a white heat of indignation on behalf
of Father Damien. He was not aware that Dr. Hyde's letter had been a
private one not meant for publicity, and later came to think he might
have struck as effectively on behalf of Damien without striking so
fiercely against Dr. Hyde (see below, p. 404). "Damon" is the Rev. F.
Damon, a missionary in Hawaii.

_Union Club, Sydney, March 5, 1890._

MY DEAR MOTHER,--I understand the family keeps you somewhat informed.
For myself I am in such a whirl of work and society, I can ill spare a
moment. My health is excellent and has been here tried by abominable wet
weather, and (what's waur) dinners and lunches. As this is like to be
our metropolis, I have