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laughter； I have to love it still。 They are such ducks！ But what
are they made of？ We were just as solemn as that about atheism and
the stars and humanity； but we were all for belief anyway … we held
atheism and sociology （of which none of us； nor indeed anybody；
knew anything） for a gospel and an iron rule of life； and it was
lucky enough； or there would have been more windows broken。 What
is apt to puzzle one at first sight in the New Youth is that； with
such rickety and risky problems always at heart； they should not
plunge down a Niagara of Dissolution。 But let us remember the high
practical timidity of youth。 I was a particularly brave boy … this
I think of myself； looking back … and plunged into adventures and
experiments； and ran risks that it still surprises me to recall。
But； dear me； what a fear I was in of that strange blind machinery
in the midst of which I stood； and with what a compressed heart and
what empty lungs I would touch a new crank and await developments！
I do not mean to say I do not fear life still； I do； and that
terror （for an adventurer like myself） is still one of the chief
joys of living。
But it was different indeed while I was yet girt with the priceless
robes of inexperience； then the fear was exquisite and infinite。
And so； when you see all these little Ibsens； who seem at once so
dry and so excitable； and faint in swathes over a play （I suppose …
for a wager） that would seem to me merely tedious； smile behind
your hand； and remember the little dears are all in a blue funk。
It must be very funny； and to a spectator like yourself I almost
envy it。 But never get desperate； human nature is human nature；
and the Roman Empire； since the Romans founded it and made our
European human nature what it is； bids fair to go on and to be true
to itself。 These little bodies will all grow up and become men and
women； and have heaps of fun； nay； and are having it now； and
whatever happens to the fashion of the age； it makes no difference
… there are always high and brave and amusing lives to be lived；
and a change of key； however exotic； does not exclude melody。 Even
Chinamen； hard as we find it to believe； enjoy being Chinese。 And
the Chinaman stands alone to be unthinkable； natural enough； as the
representative of the only other great civilisation。 Take my
people here at my doors； their life is a very good one； it is quite
thinkable； quite acceptable to us。 And the little dears will be
soon skating on the other foot； sooner or later； in each
generation； the one…half of them at least begin to remember all the
material they had rejected when first they made and nailed up their
little theory of life； and these become reactionaries or
conservatives； and the ship of man begins to fill upon the other
tack。
Here is a sermon； by your leave！ It is your own fault； you have
amused and interested me so much by your breath of the New Youth；
which comes to me from so far away； where I live up here in my
mountain； and secret messengers bring me letters from rebels； and
the government sometimes seizes them； and generally grumbles in its
beard that Stevenson should really be deported。 O； my life is the
more lively； never fear！
It has recently been most amusingly varied by a visit from Lady
Jersey。 I took her over mysteriously （under the pseudonym of my
cousin； Miss Amelia Balfour） to visit Mataafa； our rebel； and we
had great fun； and wrote a Ouida novel on our life here； in which
every author had to describe himself in the Ouida glamour； and of
which … for the Jerseys intend printing it … I must let you have a
copy。 My wife's chapter； and my description of myself； should； I
think； amuse you。 But there were finer touches still； as when
Belle and Lady Jersey came out to brush their teeth in front of the
rebel King's palace； and the night guard squatted opposite on the
grass and watched the process； or when I and my interpreter； and
the King with his secretary； mysteriously disappeared to conspire。
… Ever yours sincerely；
R。 L。 STEVENSON。
Letter： TO GORDON BROWNE
VAILIMA； SAMOA； AUTUMN 1892。
TO THE ARTIST WHO DID THE ILLUSTRATIONS TO 'UMA。'
DEAR SIR； … I only know you under the initials G。 B。； but you have
done some exceedingly spirited and satisfactory illustrations to my
story THE BEACH OF FALESA； and I wish to write and thank you
expressly for the care and talent shown。 Such numbers of people
can do good black and whites！ So few can illustrate a story； or
apparently read it。 You have shown that you can do both； and your
creation of Wiltshire is a real illumination of the text。 It was
exactly so that Wiltshire dressed and looked； and you have the line
of his nose to a nicety。 His nose is an inspiration。 Nor should I
forget to thank you for Case； particularly in his last appearance。
It is a singular fact … which seems to point still more directly to
inspiration in your case … that your missionary actually resembles
the flesh…and…blood person from whom Mr。 Tarleton was drawn。 The
general effect of the islands is all that could be wished； indeed I
have but one criticism to make； that in the background of Case
taking the dollar from Mr。 Tarleton's head … head … not hand； as
the fools have printed it … the natives have a little too much the
look of Africans。
But the great affair is that you have been to the pains to
illustrate my story instead of making conscientious black and
whites of people sitting talking。 I doubt if you have left
unrepresented a single pictorial incident。 I am writing by this
mail to the editor in the hopes that I may buy from him the
originals； and I am； dear sir； your very much obliged；
ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON。
Letter： TO MISS MORSE
VAILIMA； SAMOAN ISLANDS； OCTOBER 7TH； 1892。
DEAR MADAM； … I have a great diffidence in answering your valued
letter。 It would be difficult for me to express the feelings with
which I read it … and am now trying to re…read it as I dictate
this。
You ask me to forgive what you say 'must seem a liberty；' and I
find that I cannot thank you sufficiently or even find a word with
which to qualify your letter。 Dear Madam； such a communication
even the vainest man would think a sufficient reward for a lifetime
of labour。 That I should have been able to give so much help and
pleasure to your sister is the subject of my grateful wonder。
That she； being dead； and speaking with your pen； should be able to
repay the debt with such a liberal interest； is one of those things
that reconcile us with the world and make us take hope again。 I do
not know what I have done to deserve so beautiful and touching a
compliment； and I feel there is but one thing fit for me to say
here； that I will try with renewed courage to go on in the same
path； and to deserve； if