gentleman had not had much experience of life.

I have made an arrangement with my people: I am to have 84 pounds
a year - I only asked for 80 pounds on mature reflection - and as I
should soon make a good bit by my pen, I shall be very comfortable.
We are all as jolly as can be together, so that is a great thing
gained.

WEDNESDAY. - Yesterday I received a letter that gave me much
pleasure from a poor fellow-student of mine, who has been all
winter very ill, and seems to be but little better even now. He
seems very much pleased with ORDERED SOUTH. 'A month ago,' he
says, 'I could scarcely have ventured to read it; to-day I felt on
reading it as I did on the first day that I was able to sun myself
a little in the open air.' And much more to the like effect. It
is very gratifying. - Ever your faithful friend,

ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON.



Letter: TO MRS. SITWELL



SWANSTON, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1874.

STRUGGLING away at FABLES IN SONG. I am much afraid I am going to
make a real failure; the time is so short, and I am so out of the
humour. Otherwise very calm and jolly: cold still IMPOSSIBLE.