I want you to feel full of cheer and faith in this dear Nature of ours, who is certain to make you strong and lucky,--if you don't go back to that horrid brain-mill in the Capital.
I will write you a little while I am gone,--if I can find a little strange bit of tropical colour to spread on the paper,--like the fine jewel-dust of scintillant moth-wings.
Believe me, with sincerest wishes and regards,
DEAR KREHBIEL,--Your letter contained a cutting truth,--"This is not a country to dream in; but to get rich or go to the poorhouse." Still, O golden-haired musician, is it not a crime to stifle the aspirations toward the beautiful which strive to burn upon the altar of every generous heart? Why not aim to kindle the holy fire, in spite of harsh realities and rains of Disappointment?
If you have written any pretty things recently let me see a copy soon as possible.
Don't forget me altogether. It will be best to address me at post-office.
A gentleman lent me a bundle of Creole music yesterday. I could not copy it; the writing was too funny; but he is going to have it copied in order to send it to you.
_Afterthought!_--It has just occurred to me to ask if you are familiar with Lissajous' experiments. I know nothing about them except what I found in Flammarion's great "Astronomie Populaire." One extraordinary chapter on numbers gives diagrams of the vibrations of harmonics--showing their singular relation to the geometrical designs of crystal-formation;--and the chapter is aptly closed by the Pythagorean quotation: Ἀεὶ ὁ Θεὸς γεωμετρεί.--"God _geometrizes_ everywhere."... I should imagine that the geometry of a fine opera would--were the vibrations outlined in similar fashion--offer a network of designs which for intricate beauty would double discount the arabesque of the Alhambra. I was reading in an article on Bizet not long ago that music has ceased to be an art and has become a _science_--in which event it must have a _mathematical_ future!... Probably all this is old to you; but it produced such an impression upon me when I first saw it, that I believe its mention won't tire you anyhow. And then, between friends, it is a pleasure to exchange thoughts even of the most hyperbolical, and, perhaps, useless description.