I want you to help me to get people to understand that realism is a method, and only methodic in its consequences; when the realist is an artist, that is, and supposing the idealist with whom you compare him to be anything but a _farceur_ and a _dilettante_. The two schools of working do, and should, lead to the choice of different subjects. But that is a consequence, not a cause. See my chaotic note, which will appear, I fancy, in November in Henley's sheet. Poor Ferrier, it bust me horrid. He was, after you, the oldest of my friends. I am now very tired, and will go to bed having prelected freely. Fanny will finish. R. L. S. TO THOMAS STEVENSON Some pages of MS. exist in which the writer at this time attempted to re-cast and expand a portion of the _Lay Morals_ of 1879. A letter written some days earlier to his father, and partly quoted in Mr. Graham Balfour's _Life_ (ed. 1906, p. 209), explains his purpose. _La Solitude, Hyeres, 12th October 1883._ MY DEAR FATHER,--I have just lunched; the day is exquisite, the air comes through the open window rich with odour, and I am by no means spiritually minded. Your letter, however, was very much valued, and has been read oftener than once. What you say about yourself I was glad to hear; a little decent resignation is not only becoming a Christian, but is likely to be excellent for the health of a Stevenson. To fret and fume is undignified, suicidally foolish, and theologically unpardonable; we are here not to make, but to tread predestined, pathways; we are the foam of a wave, and to preserve a proper equanimity is not merely the first part of submission to God, but the chief of possible kindnesses to those about us. I am lecturing myself, but you also. To do our best is one part, but to wash our hands smilingly of the consequence is the next part, of any sensible virtue.