Volume II Part 24 (2/2)

Very truly yours, LAFCADIO HEARN

TO SENTARO NIshi+DA

KOBE, October, 1895

DEAR NIshi+DA,--Kazuo knows your picture, always hanging on the wall by my desk, and your name--so that if you see hier He talks well now, but is getting naughty, like his father used to be--very naughty I see ain I think he will be cleverer than his father If he shows real talent, I shall try to take hilish schools I don't like: they are too rough New England schools are better; especially for the earlier teaching The systems of Spencer and others have been much better followed out in Eastern Massachusetts than in England, where religious conservatis the minds with perfectly useless acquirements The future dehly trained man never needs help I reraduate of West Point (a splendid institution): he was coaxed out of the are of appliedthe scientifically educated to-day one o abroad to know Such men, unfortunately, do not come to japan If _they_ had been chosen for teachers, I fancy that education would have felt their influence It does not feel the influence of con teachers But, a student said to e hereafter,”--and I think he expressed the sensible general feeling of the day

Ever with kindest hopes and wishes for you,

LAFCADIO HEARN

TO BASIL HALL CHAMBERLAIN

KOBE, Noveracious flying visit, having set ina phantom talk with a phantom professor across a real table,--which I touched to e, and the boy's with the pictures, you can iled pleasure and sorrow Whatever you do is done so delicately and finely that I fear I could show no appreciation of it in writing

It was lucky that we had returned from Kyoto just so as to be here for your visit What pleasedht if I can realizehiht so hi book; and I must confess that is now my oant: I care only for a novel when it illustrates some new philosophical idea, or when it possesses such art that it can be studied for the art alone

Perhaps Lombroso would interest (and revolt) you at the same time: Nordau is only a new edition of Loeneralizations, so far as I know theress depends on variation; and the morale of Nordau would lead to, or accentuate, already existing Chinese notions in the conventional world, that all departures froeneration Without having read it, I should judge the book a shallow one,--much at variance with Spencer's views on eccentricity and its values Of the Italian school, Mantegazza h he is sentimental as Michelet in ”L'Amour”

You think me too dissatisfied, don't you? It is true I am not satisfied, and already unable to look at my former work But the ress stops He can onlya level afterwards; and I hope the level is still some years off (I see a possibility to strive for; but I am afraid even to speak of it--so well out of reach it now is) But what you will be glad to hear is that h I have up to September made about 2000 yen (japaneseabout 4000 in 1896 It is now largely a question of eyes

I visited the grave of Yuko Hatakeya relics of her, and of her suicide: also secured copies of her letters, etc A nice -place by public subscription; and there was a little cup of tea before the _sekito_ when I arrived

Needless to say that I aes which could only be spoiled by putting thelish, andwhat she would like to write if possessing more self-confidence in matters epistolary But you will understand without ratefully, LAFCADIO HEARN

TO SENTARO NIshi+DA

KOBE, December, 1895

DEAR NIshi+DA,--I suppose we have both been very busy--you with the winter school-terot rateful we feel to you for the advice and help given to Mr Takaki, and for s matters We are also anxious to hear that you are well, and are hoping to see you this co summer

As for the naturalization business, it seeo, there came to the house an official, who asked us many questions What he asked ; but his questions to Setsu were aether--whether I had always been kind--whether she thought I would always be good to her--whether she would be content always to have such a husband--whether she was in earnest--whether she had made the application of her own free will, or under pressure from relations--whether I had not forced her to make such an application--whether she held any property in o to soain Since that ti if my request (or her request, I should say) will be refused I suppose it could be; and I have not been over-prudent, for I did not reply respectfully to the offer of a place of some sort in the university--what kind of place I don't know--e of the foreign business just now Perhaps it is all right;--the delay, however, has its legal vexations:-- been made out, for example, in a japanese na it all is

[2] I aun or pistol which does not go off when the trigger is pulled

I o of Wadamori Kikujiro,--the memory-man He is a native of shi+mane I did all I could to please hiave me an exhibition of his wonderful power,--and another exhibition to a sners to whom I was able to introduce him They were very much pleased

I think I told you that ”Kokoro” is printed,--that is, in type I aet a copy in March or April Half of another japanese book has been written, and part of another book (not on japanese subjects)--so you will see how hard I have been working Also my eyes are very much better It seems to have been a case of blood to the eyes; and a doctor told et well I did so,--and got quite well I have only now to be careful