[EDINBURGH, FEBRUARY 1876.]

MY DEAR COLVIN, - 1ST. I have sent 'Fontainebleau' long ago, long
ago. And Leslie Stephen is worse than tepid about it - liked 'some
parts' of it 'very well,' the son of Belial. Moreover, he proposes
to shorten it; and I, who want MONEY, and money soon, and not glory
and the illustration of the English language, I feel as if my
poverty were going to consent.

2ND. I'm as fit as a fiddle after my walk. I am four inches
bigger about the waist than last July! There, that's your prophecy
did that. I am on 'Charles of Orleans' now, but I don't know where
to send him. Stephen obviously spews me out of his mouth, and I
spew him out of mine, so help me! A man who doesn't like my
'Fontainebleau'! His head must be turned.

3RD. If ever you do come across my 'Spring' (I beg your pardon for
referring to it again, but I don't want you to forget) send it off
at once.

4TH. I went to Ayr, Maybole, Girvan, Ballantrae, Stranraer,
Glenluce, and Wigton. I shall make an article of it some day soon,
'A Winter's Walk in Carrick and Galloway.' I had a good time. -
Yours,

R. L S.



Letter: TO SIDNEY COLVIN