Volume I Part 31 (1/2)

DEAR K,--Like a wo that has been worrying me derossly misinformed, has written an error to that paper on ”Lake de Loti,”--the weirdest and loveliest ro to do with India or English officers It is a novel of Polynesian life in Tahiti It is unspeakably beautiful and unspeakably _odd_ I translated its finest passages in a so-and-so hen it first caood will of its clever author, Julien Viaud, who sent me his portrait and a very pretty letter I have collected every scrap ”Loti” wrote, and translated h-and-ready translation from his new novel on Sunday No writer ever had such an effect upon reatest of living writers of the I more--he has a spirituality peculiarly his own, that ree

I cannot even think of him without enthusias reat musician in the folk-lore way, too; and in one of ht co you all the Polynesian and African songs you want He has lived in the Soudan I sent you once a fragment by him upon those African improvisors, called Griots If the _Tribune_ ever wants anything written about Loti, see if you can't persuade them to apply to me I know all about his life and htful a privilege as that of being able to do hireat paper His address is 141 Rue St Pierre, Rochefort-sur-Mer You ht see him in Europe, perhaps

LAFCADIO H

TO H E KREHBIEL

NEW ORLEANS, October, 1886

DEAR KREHBIEL,--While in hideous anxiety I await the decision of my future by various damnably independent censors, I must seize the ed storm of work--to chat with you awhile, and to thank you for your end of l'Ile Derniere;” Roberts Bros are deliberating over ”Chinese Ghosts;” I ae to Havana, the Mystical Rose of a West Indian daith pal What are you deliberating about? So that I shall be crazy to read, no doubt, and will have the delight of celebrating the appearance of in the editorial colu spirit of some new periodical--backed by twentyinterests,--and devoted especially to the literary progression of the future,--the realization of a dream of poetical prose,--the evolution of the Gnosticism of the New Art! Then, wouldn't I have lots to say about The Musician,--_s that is to be!

For my own purpose now lieth naked before me, without shaoal, to which the Suprely to us, directs our way; and e find we have accomplished what _ished for, we also invariably find that we have travelled thither by a route very different from that which we laid out for ourselves, and toward a consuh pleasing enough Well, you remember my ancient dream of a poetical prose,--coht in a huge measure, wider than the widest line of a Sanscrit coular, like Ocean-rhythm I really think I will be able to realize it at last And then, what? I really don't know I fancy that I shall have produced a pleasant effect on the reader's mind, simply with pictures; and that the secret work, the ork, will not be noticed for its own sake It will be siinality for those pleased by it--but I'rateful unto the _ to write about going to New York

Br-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r!

'Tis winter My lizard blood freezes at the thought In nifieth for such as me--Dissolution,--eternal darkness and worms Transformation of physical and vital forces of L H into the forces of innuh a man live many years, and rejoice in them all--yet let him remember the Days of Darkness,--for they shall be many!” No: March, April, or May! But you say,--”Then it will be the saenerations pass away, and yet he will not co: little spider-threads of literary weaving with New York are thickening When the rope is strong, I can e--Think of the trouble I would have with my 1800 of books, and all my other truck Alas! I have an anchor!

My friend Matas has returned He tells s about SpanishCuban and Mexican ly affected by African influence--full of contretemps He tried to explain about the acco peculiar interreseoes all the ti like _Si, Mi, Si,--si, mi, si_ ”See iven me addresses, and I will be able to procure specimens

Affectionately, LAFCADIO

TO W D O'CONNOR

NEW ORLEANS, February, 1887

DEAR O'CONNOR,--Please, if feeling free enough from other and more important labours, write tome how you are, and how the years pass

With me they have been somewhat uneventful--except, indeed, that your wish to see me succeed with the Harpers has been realized: I have beco to have the honour of a short sketch of myself in it,--of course, in connection with the New Southern Literary Move you a new production, just got, or getting out by a Boston house,--my ”Chinese Ghosts;” brief studies in poetical prose, if you like Theyto run away to Florida, and perhaps the West Indies, for a ro honey

There is a good et one out this next winter You will like my sketch in _Harper's_ when it appears, as it deals with topics in which you are directly interested professionally,--Gulf-coasts and shi+fting dunes, sands, winds and tides, stor to learn how to do good work

I trust you are feeling strong and hearty Last tihtful it would be if you could take a trip with s, to windy Key West, or to the palether the rose-blossoration of apocalyptic sunsets Is it iht--a Biblical light: and the World-Ghost, all blue, promises inspiration Could we not celebrate the Blue Ghost's pentecost together?

Affectionately, LAFCADIO HEARN

TO W D O'CONNOR