Now I must thank Mrs. Fenollosa for the exceeding kindness of bringing those books so far for me. I fear I shall have little chance to read within the next couple of weeks; but if I get the least opportunity, I must try to read the "Cardinal" anyhow. I shall, whatever happens, return the volumes safely before very long. As for the Stevenson, it was not worth while thanking me for; besides, I do not candidly think it an example of the writer at his highest. But one reads these things because the times force you to.
As for the Mountain of Skulls--yes: I have written it,--about seven or eight times over; but it still refuses to give the impression I feel, and can't define,--the impression that floated into my brain with the soft-flowing voice of the teller. I shall try again later; but, although I feel tolerably sure about the result, nothing but very hard work will develop the thing. Had I only eleven more stories of such quality, what a book could be made out of them! Still, it is quite impossible that a dozen such tales could exist. I read all the Jatakas to no purpose: one makes such a find only by the rarest and most unexpected chance.
By the way, it puzzled me to imagine how the professor knew of my insignificance having visited the exhibition! But a charming professor who made three long visits there wants very much to make Professor Fenollosa's acquaintance,--E. Foxwell, a fellow of Cambridge, and an authority on economics. Quite a rare fine type of Englishman,--at once sympathetic and severely scientific,--a fine companion and a broad strong thinker.
Faithfully, with best regards and thanks,
DEAR McDONALD,--I wonder if you are perfectly disgusted with my silence and general invisibility. But perhaps you have been far too busy to think enough about me even to say, "D--n his lying little soul!" (which is what I would have said under like circumstances); for I have been reading about you,--and know that you have had some sad and very important duties to perform, of an unexpected character.
I got by the last steamer only two notices for you; they are amusing, because they represent two entirely different religious points of view in Methodist criticism. Perhaps you will think the favourable notice very kindly under the circumstances.