Butler, Samuel, 1835-1902 -- Notebooks, sketchbooks, etc.
Here I closed the conversation, and we began packing up to make a start.
When we were about to mount, I said to him, hat in hand:
“Sir, it occurs to me with great sadness that, though you will, no doubt,
often revisit this lovely spot, yet it is most certain that I shall never
do so. Promise me that when you come here you will sometimes think of
the stupid old Englishman who has had the pleasure of lunching with you
to-day, and I promise that I will often think of you when I am at home
again in London.”
He was much touched, and we started. After we had gone about a mile, I
suddenly missed my knife. I knew I should want it badly many a time
before we got to the Dardanelles, and I knew perfectly well where I
should find it: so I stopped the cavalcade and said I must ride back for
it. I did so, found it immediately and returned. Then I said to Ismail:
“Sir, I understand now why I was led to leave my knife behind me. I had
said it was certain I should never see that enchanting spot again, but I
spoke presumptuously, forgetting that if Allah” (and I raised my hand to
Heaven) “willed it I should assuredly do so. I am corrected, and with
great leniency.”
Ismail was much affected. The good fellow immediately took off his
watch-chain (happily of brass and of no intrinsic value) and gave it me,
assuring me that it was given him by a very dear friend, that he had worn
it for many years, and valued it greatly—would I keep it as a memorial of
himself? Fortunately I had with me a little silver match-box which
Alfred had given me and which had my name engraved on it. I gave it to
him, but had some difficulty in making him accept it. Then we rode on
till we came to the saw-mills. I ordered two lambs for the ten soldiers
who had accompanied us, having understood from Yakoub that this would be
an acceptable present. And so I parted from this most kind and friendly
gentleman with every warm expression of cordiality on both sides.
I sent him his photograph which I had taken, and I sent his soldiers
their groups also—one for each man—and in due course I received the
following letter of thanks. Alas! I have never written in answer. I
knew not how to do it. I knew, however, that I could not keep up a
correspondence, even though I wrote once. But few unanswered letters
more often rise up and smite me. How the Post Office people ever read
“Bueter, Ciforzin St.” into “Butler, Clifford’s Inn” I cannot tell. What
splendid emendators of a corrupt text they ought to make! But I could
almost wish that they had failed, for it has pained me not a little that
I have not replied.
Mr. Samuel Bueter,
No. 15 Ciforzin St. London, England.
Dardanelles,
August 4/95.
Mr. Samuel. England.
MY DEAR FRIEND,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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