bly received by the French officials.

_Hotel Sebastopol, Noumea, August 1890._

MY DEAR CHARLES,--I have stayed here a week while Lloyd and my wife
continue to voyage in the _Janet Nicoll_; this I did, partly to see the
convict system, partly to shorten my stay in the extreme cold--hear me
with my extreme! _moi qui suis originaire d'Edimbourg_--of Sydney at
this season. I am feeling very seedy, utterly fatigued and overborne
with sleep. I have a fine old gentleman of a doctor, who attends and
cheers and entertains, if he does not cure me; but even with his
ministrations I am almost incapable of the exertion sufficient for this
letter; and I am really, as I write, falling down with sleep. What is
necessary to say, I must try to say shortly. Lloyd goes to clear out our
establishments: pray keep him in funds, if I have any; if I have not,
pray try to raise them. Here is the idea: to install ourselves, at the
risk of bankruptcy, in Samoa. It is not the least likely it will pay
(although it may); but it is almost certain it will support life, with
very few external expenses. If I die, it will be an endowment for the
survivors, at least for my wife and Lloyd; and my mother, who might
prefer to go home, has her own. Hence I believe I shall do well to hurry
my installation. The letters are already in part done; in part done is a
novel for Scribner; in the course of the next twelve months I should
receive a considerable amount of money. I am aware I had intended to pay
back to my capital some of this. I am now of opinion I should act
foolishly. Better to build the house and have a roof and farm of my own;
and thereafter, with a livelihood assured, save and repay.... There is
my livelihood, all but books and wine, ready in a nutshell; and it ought
to be more easy to save and to repay afterwards. Excellent, say you, but
will you save and will you repay? I do not know, said the Bell of Old
Bow.... It seems clear to me.... The deuce of the affair is that I do
not know when I shall see you and Colvin. I guess you will have to come
and see me: many a time already we have arranged the details of your
visit in the yet unbuilt house on the mountain. I shall be able to get
decent wine from Noumea. We shall be able to give you a decent welcome,
and talk of old days. _Apropos_ of old days, do you remember still the
phrase we heard in Waterloo Place? I believe you made a piece for the
piano on that phrase. Pray, if you remember it, sen