TO SIDNEY COLVIN [_San Francisco, May 1880._] MY DEAR COLVIN,--I received your letter and proof to-day, and was greatly delighted with the last. I am now out of danger; in but a short while (_i.e._ as soon as the weather is settled), F. and I marry and go up to the hills to look for a place; "I to the hills will lift mine eyes, from whence doth come mine aid": once the place found, the furniture will follow. There, sir, in, I hope, a ranche among the pine-trees and hard by a running brook, we are to fish, hunt, sketch, study Spanish, French, Latin, Euclid, and History; and, if possible, not quarrel. Far from man, sir, in the virgin forest. Thence, as my strength returns, you may expect works of genius. I always feel as if I must write a work of genius some time or other; and when is it more likely to come off, than just after I have paid a visit to Styx and go thence to the eternal mountains? Such a revolution in a man's affairs, as I have somewhere written, would set anybody singing. When we get installed, Lloyd and I are going to print my poetical works; so all those who have been poetically addressed shall receive copies of their addresses. They are, I believe, pretty correct literary exercises, or will be, with a few filings; but they are not remarkable for white-hot vehemence of inspiration; tepid works! respectable versifications of very proper and even original sentiments: kind of Hayleyistic, I fear--but no, this is morbid self-depreciation. The family is all very shaky in health, but our motto is now _Al Monte_! in the words of Don Lope, in the play the sister and I are just beating through with two bad dictionaries and an insane grammar. I to the hills.--Yours ever, R. L. S. TO C. W. STODDARD This correspondent is the late Mr. Charles Warren Stoddard, author of _Summer Cruising in the South Seas_, etc., with whom Stevenson had made friends in the manner and amid the scenes faithfully described in _The Wrecker_, in the chapter called "Faces on the City Front." _East Oakland, Cal., May 1880._