“‘Accept with this note a little case for your expeditions, and as often as you use it--out with some greater star--give a thought to Drumtochty and its story-teller. “‘Accept for Mrs. Pond and yourself this sincere assurance of our regard, and believe me ever, “‘Yours faithfully, “‘JOHN WATSON.’ * * * * * “Dr. Watson’s copy of ‘The Bonnie Briar Bush’ from which he read on the tour he inscribed to me as follows: * * * * * “‘With grateful thoughts for his best-natured friend, from a fiery Celt.--IAN MACLAREN.’ * * * * * “He is a noble man. My heart is too full for utterance. Our tour has been a great success. In ten weeks we have cleared $35,795.91. This beats all records except Stanley’s, and I think I have seen more smiling and happy faces during the last ten weeks than any man has ever before seen in that length of time.” * * * * * On his return to Liverpool he wrote me the following letter: * * * * * “SEFTON PARK CHURCH, LIVERPOOL. “REV. JOHN WATSON, 18 SEFTON DRIVE. “Jan. 1, 1897. “MY DEAR MAJOR: “First of all let me wish you both a very Happy New Year, in which wish Mrs. Watson desires to join. May the ‘Stars’ all be bright and shining this year! We had rather a rough passage home, but after the first two days suffered nothing, and arrived home at 3 A.M. on the Thursday morning in good health, to get a warm welcome here. “A reception was held in the church that day, and an address was presented, with a bouquet of flowers to Mrs. Watson. Letters from all kinds of people poured in to welcome us. I send two papers. “We have suffered nothing from our journeys; in fact people declare that we never looked better--so there is a feather in your cap, Major; you did send us home as well as we came. “My heart is warm to America, and I hope some day to see her good people again under your care; but I fear the day is far off. With kindest regards, “Yours faithfully, “JOHN WATSON.” * * * * * Hall Caine is one of the most remarkable of personalities. A man of not over forty years, of slender frame, middle height, and having a slight stoop, he carries in all his movements the evidence of the intense nervous organization with which he is endowed. He is refined and gentle in speech and manner, low-voiced, with simple ways, giving at every turn evidences of kindliness of feeling and sensitiveness to all emotion. He is never fretful, though of so remarkable a nervous temperament. He dresses very quietly. [Illustration]