ard squad. I have a mild wish that you at least would read
them no further than the dedication.

I suppose we have all been reading Dowden. It seems to me a really
first-rate book, full of justice, and humour without which there can be
no justice; and of fine intelligence besides. Here and there, perhaps a
trifle precious, but this is to spy flaws in a fine work. I was weary at
my resemblances to Shelley; I seem but a Shelley with less oil, and no
genius; though I have had the fortune to live longer and (partly) to
grow up. He was growing up. There is a manlier note in the last days; in
spite of such really sickening aberrations as the Emillia Viviani
business. I try to take a humorously-genial view of life; but Emillia
Viviani, if I have her detested name aright,[19] is too much for my
philosophy. I cannot smile when I see all these grown folk waltzing and
piping the eye about an insubordinate and perfectly abominable
schoolgirl, as silly and patently as false as Blanche Amory.[20] I
really think it is one of those episodes that make the angels weep.

With all kind regards and affectionate good wishes to and for you and
yours, believe me, your affectionate friend,

ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON.

TO LADY TAYLOR

The reference in the last paragraph to a "vision" cannot be
explained, his correspondent's daughters retaining no memory on the
subject.

[_Skerryvore, Bournemouth, January 1887._]

MY DEAR LADY TAYLOR,--I don't know but what I agree fairly well with all
you say, only I like _The Merry Men_, as a fantasia or vision of the
sea, better than you do. The trouble with _Olalla_ is that it somehow
sounds false; and I think it must be this that gives you the feeling of
irreverence. Of _Thrawn Janet_, which I like very much myself, you say
nothing, thus uttering volumes; but it is plain that people cannot
always agree. I do not think it is a wholesome part of me that broods on
the evil in the world and man; but I do not think that I get harm from
it; possibly my readers may, which is more serious; but at any account,
I do not purpose to write more in this vein. But the odd problem is:
what makes a story true? _Markheim_ is true; _Olalla_ false; and I don't
know why, nor did I feel it while I worked at them; indeed I had more
inspiration with _Olalla_, as the style shows. I am glad you thought
that young Spanish woman well dressed; I admire the style of it myself,
more than is perhaps good for