My dear sir, I grow more and more idiotic; I cannot even feign sanity. Some time in the month of June a stalwart weather-beaten man, evidently of seafaring antecedents, shall be observed wending his way between the Athenaeum Club and Waterloo Place. Arrived off No. 17, he shall be observed to bring his head sharply to the wind, and tack into the outer haven. "Captain Payn in the harbour?"--"Ay, ay, sir. What ship?"--"Barquentin R. L. S., nine hundred and odd days out from the port of Bournemouth, homeward bound, with yarns and curiosities." Who was it said, "For God's sake, don't speak of it!" about Scott and his tears? He knew what he was saying. The fear of that hour is the skeleton in all our cupboards; that hour when the pastime and the livelihood go together; and--I am getting hard of hearing myself; a pore young child of forty, but new come frae my Mammy, O! Excuse these follies, and accept the expression of all my regards.--Yours affectionately, R. L. STEVENSON. TO HENRY JAMES The _Solution_ is a short story of Mr. Henry James, first published in a periodical and reprinted in the collection called _The Lesson of the Master_ (Macmillans). _Union Club, Sydney, February 19, 1890._ HERE--in this excellent civilised, antipodal club smoking-room, I have just read the first part of your _Solution_. Dear Henry James, it is an exquisite art; do not be troubled by the shadows of your French competitors: not one, not de Maupassant, could have done a thing more clean and fine; dry in touch, but the atmosphere (as in a fine summer sunset) rich with colour and with perfume. I shall say no more; this note is De Solutione; except that I--that we--are all your sincere friends and hope to shake you by the hand in June. ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON. signed, sealed and delivered as his act and deed and very thought of very thought, this nineteenth of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred ninety and nothing. TO MRS. THOMAS STEVENSON Written while he was still in a white heat of indignation on behalf of Father Damien. He was not aware that Dr. Hyde's letter had been a private one not meant for publicity, and later came to think he might have struck as effectively on behalf of Damien without striking so fiercely against Dr. Hyde (see below, p. 404). "Damon" is the Rev. F. Damon, a missionary in Hawaii. _Union Club, Sydney, March 5, 1890._