Do not damp me about my work; _qu'elle soit bonne ou mauvaise_, it has to be done. You know the wolf is at the door, and I have been seriously ill. I am now at Thoreau. I almost blame myself for persevering in anything so difficult under the circumstances: but it may set me up again in style, which is the great point. I have now £80 in the world and two houses to keep up for an indefinite period. It is odd to be on so strict a regimen; it is a week for instance since I have bought myself a drink, and unless times change, I do not suppose I shall ever buy myself another. The health improves. The Pied Piper is an idea; it shall have my thoughts, and so shall you. The character of the P. P. would be highly comic, I seem to see. Had you looked at the _Pavilion_, I do not think you would have sent it to Stephen; 'tis a mere story, and has no higher pretension: Dibbs is its name, I wish it was its nature also. The _Vendetta_, at which you ignorantly puff out your lips, is a real novel, though not a good one. As soon as I have found strength to finish the _Emigrant_, I shall also finish the _Vend._ and draw a breath--I wish I could say, "and draw a cheque." My spirits have risen _contra fortunam_; I will fight this out, and conquer. You are all anxious to have me home in a hurry. There are two or three objections to that; but I shall instruct you more at large when I have time, for to-day I am hunted, having a pile of letters before me. Yet it is already drawing into dusk.--Yours affectionately, R. L. S. TO W. E. HENLEY The Dook de Karneel (= Cornhill) and Marky de Stephen is of course Mr. Leslie Stephen. The "blood and thunder" is _The Pavilion on the Links. Hester Noble_ and _Don Juan_ were the titles of two plays planned and begun with W. E. Henley the previous winter. They were never finished. The French novels mentioned are by Joseph Méry. The _Dialogue on Character and Destiny_ still exists in a fragmentary condition. George the Pieman is a character in _Deacon Brodie_. _608 Bush Street, San Francisco, January 23rd, 1880._ MY DEAR HENLEY,--That was good news. The Dook de Karneel, K.C.B., taken a blood and thunder! Well, I _thought_ it had points; now, I know it. And I'm to see a proof once more! O Glory Hallelujah, how beautiful is proof, And how distressed that author man who dwells too far aloof. His favourite words he always finds his friends misunderstand, With oaths, he reads his articles, moist brow and clenchéd hand. Impromtoo. The last line first-rate. When may I hope to see the _Deacon_? I pine for the _Deacon_, for proofs of the _Pavilion_--O and for a categorical confession from you that the second edition of the _Donkey_ was a false alarm, which I conclude from hearing no more. I have twice written to the Marky de Stephen; each time with one of my bright papers, so I should hear from him soon. How are Baron Payn, Sir Robert de Bob, and other members of the Aristocracy?