COLVIN

The following is in answer to a letter containing remarks on the
proofs of the _Child's Garden_, then going round among some of his
friends, and on the instalments of _Silverado Squatters_ and the
_Black Arrow_, which were appearing in the Century Magazine and Young
Folks respectively. The remarks on Professor Seeley's literary manner
are _apropos_ of the _Expansion of England_, which I had lately sent
him.

_La Solitude, Hyeres [October 1883]._

COLVIN, COLVIN, COLVIN,--Yours received; also interesting copy of _P.
Whistles_. "In the multitude of councillors the Bible declares there is
wisdom," said my great-uncle, "but I have always found in them
distraction." It is extraordinary how tastes vary: these proofs have
been handed about, it appears, and I have had several letters;
and--distraction. AEsop: the Miller and the Ass.

Notes on details:--

1. I love the occasional trochaic line; and so did many excellent
writers before me.

2. If you don't like _A Good Boy_, I do.

3. In _Escape at Bedtime_, I found two suggestions. "Shove" for "above"
is a correction of the press; it was so written. "Twinkled" is just the
error; to the child the stars appear to be there; any word that suggests
illusion is a horror.

4. I don't care; I take a different view of the vocative.

5. Bewildering and childering are good enough for me. These are rhymes,
jingles; I don't go for eternity and the three unities.

I will delete some of those condemned, but not all. I don't care for the
name Penny Whistles; I sent a sheaf to Henley when I sent 'em. But I've
forgot the others. I would just as soon call 'em "Rimes for Children" as
anything else. I am not proud nor particular.

Your remarks on the _Black Arrow_ are to the point. I am pleased you
liked Crookback; he is a fellow whose hellish energy has always fixed my
attention. I wish Shakespeare had written the play after he had learned
some of the rudiments of literature and art rather than before. Some
day, I will re-tickle the Sable Missile, and shoot it, _moyennant
finances_, once more into the air; I can lighten it of much, and devote
some more attention to Dick o' Gloucester. It's great sport to write
tushery.

By this I reckon you will have heard of my proposed excursiolorum to the
Isles of Greece, the Isles of Greece, and kindred sites. If the
excursiolorum goes on, that is if _moyennant finances_ comes off, I
shall write to beg you to