Every one tells me that I come too late upon the field, every one being pledged, which, seeing it is yet too early for any one to come upon the field, I must regard as a polite evasion. Yet all advise me to stand, as it might serve me against the next vacancy. So stand I shall, unless things are changed. As it is, with my health this summer class is a great attraction; it is perhaps the only hope I may have of a permanent income. I had supposed the needs of the chair might be met by choosing every year some period of history in which questions of Constitutional Law were involved; but this is to look too far forward. I understand (1_st_) that no overt steps can be taken till your resignation is accepted; and (2_nd_) that in the meantime I may, without offence, mention my design to stand. If I am mistaken about these, please correct me, as I do not wish to appear where I should not. Again thanking you very heartily for your coals of fire I remain yours very sincerely, ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON. TO EDMUND GOSSE _Kinnaird Cottage_, _Pitlochry_, _June_ 24, 1881. MY DEAR GOSSE,—I wonder if I misdirected my last to you. I begin to fear it. I hope, however, this will go right. I am in act to do a mad thing—to stand for the Edinburgh Chair of History; it is elected for by the advocates, _quorum pars_; I am told that I am too late this year; but advised on all hands to go on, as it is likely soon to be once more vacant; and I shall have done myself good for the next time. Now, if I got the thing (which I cannot, it appears), I believe, in spite of all my imperfections, I could be decently effectual. If you can think so also, do put it in a testimonial. Heavens! _Je me sauve_, I have something else to say to you, but after that (which is not a joke) I shall keep it for another shoot.—Yours testimonially, ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON. I surely need not add, dear lad, that if you don’t feel like it, you will only have to pacify me by a long letter on general subjects, when I shall hasten to respond in recompense for my assault upon the postal highway. TO EDMUND GOSSE _Kinnaird Cottage_, _Pitlochry_ [_July_ 1881].