Let me tell you this: In '74 or 5 there came to stay with my father and mother a certain Mr. Seed, a prime minister or something of New Zealand. He spotted what my complaint was; told me that I had no business to stay in Europe; that I should find all I cared for, and all that was good for me, in the Navigator Islands; sat up till four in the morning persuading me, demolishing my scruples. And I resisted: I refused to go so far from my father and mother. O, it was virtuous, and O, wasn't it silly! But my father, who was always my dearest, got to his grave without that pang; and now in 1890, I (or what is left of me) go at last to the Navigator Islands. God go with us! It is but a Pisgah sight when all is said; I go there only to grow old and die; but when you come, you will see it is a fair place for the purpose. Flaubert[38] has not turned up; I hope he will soon; I knew of him only through Maxime Descamps.--With kindest messages to yourself and all of yours, I remain ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON. FOOTNOTES: [27] King Kalakaua. [28] This is the Canadian poet Archibald Lampman (d. 1899). [29] Stevenson's stepdaughter, Mrs. Strong, who was at this time living at Honolulu, and joined his party and family for good after they arrived at Sydney in the following autumn. [30] R. A. M. Stevenson was at this time professor of Fine Art in the University of Liverpool. [31] The Hawaiian name for white men. [32] The writer has omitted something here. [33] Table of chapter headings follows. [34] French _batons rompus_: disconnected thoughts or studies. [35] The Rev. Dr. Hyde, of Honolulu: in reference to Stevenson's letter on Father Damien. [36] By Emile Zola. [37] Afterwards re-named _The Ebb-Tide_. [38] His _Letters_. END OF VOL. XXIV PRINTED BY CASSELL & COMPANY, LIMITED, LA BELLE SAUVAGE, LONDON, E.C.