Volume I Part 29 (2/2)
Didst ever hear the music of the Zamacueca?
L H
TO H E KREHBIEL
NEW ORLEANS, February, 1886
DEAR KREHBIEL,--Your very brief note was received almost simultaneously with my first perusal of your work in the _Century_ But the Cala-woinary I have the real cry,--six notes and soet a man to write it down The patate-cry is less African, but very pleasing
I have been somewhat surprised to discover that the word Voudoo is not African, but the corruption of a South-A to write now, but at your service whenever you may need it
Plympton has been here on his way to the W Indies _via_ Florida--a white shadow, a ghost, a Voice,--utterly broken down I fear his summers are nuood, large-minded, frank, eccentric man--always a friend to me
If you are interested in Provencal literature and song, and are not acquainted with Hueffer's ”Troubadours” (Chatto & Windus), let me recommend the volume as one of the most compact and scholarly I have yet seen It is not exactly _new_, but new in its popularity on this side
His theories are original; his facts, of course, may be all old to you
Houssaye is not a New Orleans favourite, like Albert Delpit, the Creole,--or Pierre Loti,--or Guy de Maupassant,--or the leaders of the later schools of erudite roists of naturalisht aro_, and is now quite ancient history to French-speaking New Orleans However, I have to leave the reatest obstacle will be price,--as we usually only pay 5 for foreign correspondence Picayunish, I know; but Burke will pay 75 for a note from Loti, or a letter from Davitt, just for the name
Try Roberts Bros, for Tunison Chatto & Windus, of London, land there is a lurking suspicion (not without foundation) of the untrustworthiness of As have been done hastily in this country, without that precision of scholarshi+p and leisurely finish indispensable to solid endurance If they can only be induced to _read_ the MS, perhaps it would be all right Rivington of London is another enterprising firm in the same line
I expect to see you this summer--also to send you a volu well Won't write again until I can tear and wrench and wring a big letter out of you
Affectionately, L HEARN
TO H E KREHBIEL
NEW ORLEANS, February, 1886
MY DEAR MUSICIAN,--Your letter delighted e as it may seem to you, the books and papers you sent me, I never received!
I feel a so you that the translations you considered so abominable are printed without the least alteration, and also in assuring you that if you can spare time to read them you will like them Still, I must say that the book is not free froain to-day, I should be able to improve upon it It is my first effort, however, and I am therefore a little anxious; for to commence one's literary career with a collapse would be very bad I think I shall see you in New York this summer I have a project on foot--to issue a series of translations of archaeological and artistic French romance--Flaubert's ”Tentation de Saint-Antoine;” De Nerval's ”Voyage en Orient;” Gautier's ”Avatar;” Loti's most extraordinary African and Polynesian novels; and Baudelaire's ”Petits Poeeht stay in New York awhile; but there is no knowing I aet rid of newspaper life
No: I a on music now--only book reviews, French and Spanish translations, and an occasional editorial The musical reviews of the _Tiustin--one of the few talented Creoles here, who is the author of a volume of French poems, and is personally a fine fellow We are now very busy writing up the Carnival
I have charge of the historical and ical themes,--copies of which I will send you when the paper is printed One of the theenerally little known subject; but I have only been able to devote two days apiece to theh-and-ready work
I am very happy to hear you are cozy, and nicely established, and the father of a little one, which I feel sure must inherit physical and mental comeliness of no common sort
I cannot write as I wish to-day, as Carnival duties are pressing So I will only thank you for your kindness, and conclude with a promise to do better next time
Your friend and admirer, L HEARN
By the ould you like a copy of De l'Isere's work on diseases of the voice, and the _rapports_ between sexual and vocal power? I have a copy for you, but you must excuse its badly battered condition I have built up quite a nice library here; and the antiquarians bring et them This is one, but it has been abused
L H