ion; I do not think
they are adored. They stand usually on the windward shore of the
islands, that is to say, apart from habitation (on _enclosed islands_,
where the people live on the sea side, I do not know how it is, never
having lived on one). I gathered from Tembinoka, Rex Apemamae, that the
pillars were supposed to fortify the island from invasion: spiritual
martellos. I think he indicated they were connected with the cult of
Tenti--pronounce almost as chintz in English, the _t_ being explosive;
but you must take this with a grain of salt, for I knew no word of
Gilbert Island; and the King's English, although creditable, is rather
vigorous than exact. Now, here follows the point of interest to you:
such pillars, or standing stones, have no connection with graves. The
most elaborate grave that I have ever seen in the group--to be
certain--is in the form of a _raised border_ of gravel, usually strewn
with broken glass. One, of which I cannot be sure that it was a grave,
for I was told by one that it was, and by another that it was
not--consisted of a mound about breast high in an excavated taro swamp,
on the top of which was a child's house, or rather _maniapa_--that is to
say, shed, or open house, such as is used in the group for social or
political gatherings--so small that only a child could creep under its
eaves. I have heard of another great tomb on Apemama, which I did not
see; but here again, by all accounts, no sign of a standing stone. My
report would be--no connection between standing stones and sepulture. I
shall, however, send on the terms of the problem to a highly intelligent
resident trader, who knows more than perhaps any one living, white or
native, of the Gilbert group; and you shall have the result. In Samoa,
whither I return for good, I shall myself make inquiries; up to now, I
have neither seen nor heard of any standing stones in that
group.--Yours,

R. L. STEVENSON.

TO MISS ADELAIDE BOODLE

Exactly what tale of doings in the garret at Skerryvore had been
related to Stevenson (in the character of Robin Lewison) by his
correspondent (in the character of Miss Green) cannot well be
gathered from this reply. But the letter is interesting as containing
the only mention of certain schemes of romance afterwards abandoned.

_Union Club, Sydney, 1st September 1890._

MY DEAR MISS BOODLE,--I find you have been behaving very ill: _been_
very ill, in fact. I find this