Stevenson, Robert Louis (1850-1894) Letter signed. Vailima, Samoa. Addressed to Henry Newbolt, Esq., April 8, 1893

File — Box: 1, Folder: 50

Staff Only

Scope and Content

From the Collection:

This collection consists of letters and supporting documentation, books on the art of letter writing, a small miscellaneous grouping of catalogs and photographs, and issues of The Wolf Magazine of Letters from June-July 1979 to Summer Quarterly 1991. The earliest letter, from the Marquise de Sevigne, dates from 1695; while the most recent was signed by entertainer Mike Douglas in 1980. Most of the letters date from the 19th century. The collection, which now numbers 85 letters, will continue to grow; in conjunction with his gift, Mr. Lang established a gift annuity to be used for the maintenance and augmentation of the collection.

Dates

Creation: April 8, 1893

Creator

Stevenson, Robert Louis (Author, Person)

Language of Materials

From the Collection:

The records are in English

Restrictions on Access

There are no restrictions on access to this collection.

Extent

From the Collection: 1.26 linear feet

Additional Description

Condition

Very fine. Slight soiling on back and very slight smearing of ink

3 pages, 7"x 4" (8vo) with envelope

Transcription

[page 1]

Vailima Samoa April 8th 1893

Henry Newbolt Esq

Dear Mr. Newbolt

This little while back I have been out of sorts and much in want of entertainment. I have taken up novel after novel and flung them away again with curses; for about a month I have not got to the last page of one. Now last night, being very tired and rather dull and a trifle cross, I took up your story after dinner and finished it before I slept with a real amusement. So you see that your kindly little attention has been blessed, and that the ‘eighteen penny cutlet’ was

[page 2]

well cooked.

I cannot say that it is very strong. You have a great deal to learn yet; but if you are as I suppose a young man, there is no reason why you should not learn it. Your plot is ingenious, particularly in the end. It seems to me as if you had scarce begun it quite right - as if there were a little too much introduction - as if the note of ambiguity and deceit which broods over the whole story should have been more immediately and strongly struck. But I may very well be in error as to this, and I have no doubt you have entered on a path on which you

[page 3]

may easily learn to do better and make me wait for Mr. Newbolt’s stories as a periodical treat. Your friend’s book I have not yet finished; and I confess I am quite in a taking as to how long she is to get out of the muddle. If she does get out she is devilish ingenious. And there is no doubt that her book also lets itself be read (as the French say) which is after all the first thing and for aught I know (though we take ourselves so seriously) may very well be the last also.

Yours truly

Robert Louis Stevenson [signature only in Stevenson's hand]

[envelope]

[3 stamps: 1-Samoan 5 cents; 2-Samoan Halfpenny. 5 postmarks: 1-Samoan April 26; 1-London, S.W. May 29, 93; 3-illegible]

[Address 1: Henry Newbolt, Esq., 14 Vicotria Road 9(crossed out), Kensington(crossed out), London(crossed out), England]

[Address 2: Peaslake, Gomshall, Surrey]