Volume II Part 34 (2/2)

I read that war has begun Hope it will soon end Anyhow Uncle Sam does not lose time: he knows too well that time is money And after it is over, he will probably start to build hiest fleet in creation; for he needs it Ever affectionately,

LAFCADIO HEARN

TO MITChell McDONALD

TOKYO, April, 1898

DEAR FRIEND,--Your kindest letter is with me I cannot quite understand your faith in my work: it is a veritable Rouments I only say that I can see no reason to suppose or even hope that I can ever be worth to publishers nearly as much as the author of a blood-and-thunder detective story contributed to a popular weekly

About getting killed:--I should like nothing so much if I had no one but myself in the world to take care of--which is just why I would not get killed You never get what you want in this world I used to feel that way in tight places, and say to myself: ”Well, I don't care: _therefore_ it can't happen” It is only what a ly shall co burned alive slowly, in an earthquake fire,--being eaten by sharks,--being blinded oris probably a very good thing indeed, and as much to be desired for one's self as dreaded for one's friends

But my work is not done yet: I can't afford luxuries till it is done, I suppose--at least so the Gods think

No: I shall not burn the MS yet; but if I decided, after deliberation, to burn it, I think I should be right How s which I printed ten or twelve years ago!

I think with you that the USN will sweep the Spaniards off the sea; but still I feel slightly uneasy

I have ave your address,--in case he should need advice, or wish to see A to the hotel, but is now at Nikko His name is E T Sturdy He has lived in India,--up in the Hi Eastern philosophy; and the hotel delicacies will do hietarian

He is a friend of Professor Rhys-Davids, who gave him a letter of introduction to me; and has paid for the publication of several Eastern texts--Pali, etc Beyond any question, he is the most _remarkable_ person I have , cultivated, with property in New Zealand and elsewhere, voluntarily haunting the Hirims and ascetics,--in search of the Nameless and the Eternal Yet he is not a Theosophist exactly, nor a Spiritualist I did not get very near hilish reserve which deludes under the appearance of alht become fast friends did we live in the saet,--very strange things

I envy, not hi able to live where one pleases, nobody's servant,--able to choose one's own studies and friends and books On the other hand, most authors write because they are co independent, become idle? I don't think so; but I know that so itself,--as does the stoht to be maintained in a condition of ”eternal torment”?

Well, it is not i of the great story that is eventually to be written--let us hope assuredly if I once start in upon it, I shall be asking you questions, and you will be able to help me very much

Ever affectionately, LAFCADIO

TO ERNEST FENOLLOSA

TOKYO, May, 1898

DEAR PROFESSOR,--It is too bad that I should twice haveyou,--and still worse that Mrs Fenollosa should have come into my wretched little street to find me absent But it were better alhen possible to let me know in advance of any chances for a visit--otherwise I can seldom be relied upon; especially in these months, for I am over head and ears in work,--with the dreadful prospect of exa to be rolled upon me at the same moment You are so far happy to be able to coe it

Well, even if I had been free, I do not think I should have cared to go to the Ukioy-e exhibition again--except, of course, to hear you talk about it I aue orth ue) leftat a set of eret at my inability to purchase the Kappa; Shoki diverting hi excited in ift, except the Kappa and the Shoki (I know I am hopeless--but it were hopeless to try to be otherwise) Verily I prefer the modern colour-prints, which I can afford sometimes to buy What isI can always follow the shi+nto code and consult s Were I to know s It is like the Chinese characters on the shop-fronts

Once you begin to know the ical charm--- the charm of mystery--evaporates There's heresy for you! As for the catalogues --especially the glorious New York catalogue--I think theood, they serve the purpose of suggesting the range and unfathoret that you do not use legends,--do not tell stories If you did, Andersen would be quickly superseded We buy him only for the folk-lore and the references

Now I ing 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 volu As for the Stevenson, it was not worth while thanking me for; besides, I do not candidly think it an exas because the times force you to

As for the Mountain of Skulls--yes: I have written it,--about seven or eight tiive the impression I feel, and can't define,--the i voice of the teller I shall try again later; but, although I feel tolerably sure about the result, nothing but very hard ill 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 nificance having visited the exhibition! But a char visits there wants very much to make Professor Fenollosa's acquaintance,--E Foxwell, a fellow of Cae, and an authority on econolishman,--at once sympathetic and severely scientific,--a fine co thinker

Faithfully, with best regards and thanks,