A close intimate of J. A. Symonds, and frequent visitor at Davos, was Mr. Horatio F. Brown, author of _Life on the Lagoons_, etc. He took warmly, as did every one, to Stevenson. The following two notes are from a copy of Penn's _Fruits of Solitude_, printed at Philadelphia, which Stevenson sent him as a gift this winter after his return to Venice. _Hotel Belvedere, Davos, [February 1881]._ MY DEAR BROWN,--Here it is, with the mark of a San Francisco _bouquiniste_. And if ever in all my "human conduct" I have done a better thing to any fellow-creature than handing on to you this sweet, dignified, and wholesome book, I know I shall hear of it on the last day. To write a book like this were impossible; at least one can hand it on--with a wrench--one to another. My wife cries out and my own heart misgives me, but still here it is. I could scarcely better prove myself--Yours affectionately, R. L. STEVENSON. TO HORATIO F. BROWN _Hotel Belvedere, Davos, [February 1881]._ MY DEAR BROWN,--I hope, if you get thus far, you will know what an invaluable present I have made you. Even the copy was dear to me, printed in the colony that Penn established, and carried in my pocket all about the San Francisco streets, read in street cars and ferry-boats, when I was sick unto death, and found in all times and places a peaceful and sweet companion. But I hope, when you shall have reached this note, my gift will not have been in vain; for while just now we are so busy and intelligent, there is not the man living, no, nor recently dead, that could put, with so lovely a spirit, so much honest, kind wisdom into words. R. L. S. TO HORATIO F. BROWN The following experiment in English alcaics was suggested by conversations with Mr. Brown and J. A. Symonds on metrical forms, followed by the despatch of some translations from old Venetian boat-songs by the former after his return to Venice. _Hotel Belvedere, Davos, [April 1881]._ MY DEAR BROWN,--Nine years I have conded them. Brave lads in olden musical centuries Sang, night by night, adorable choruses, Sat late by alehouse doors in April Chaunting in joy as the moon was rising: Moon-seen and merry, under the trellises, Flush-faced they played with old polysyllables; Spring scents inspired,[35] old wine diluted; Love and Apollo were there to chorus. Now these, the songs, remain to eternity, Those, only those, the bountiful choristers Gone--those are gone, those unremembered Sleep and are silent in earth for ever. So man himself appears and evanishes, So smiles and goes; as wanderers halting at Some green-embowered house, play their music, Play and are gone on the windy highway; Yet dwells the strain enshrined in the memory Long after they departed eternally, Forth-faring tow'rd far mountain summits, Cities of men on the sounding Ocean.