ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON.



Letter: TO MR. AND MRS. THOMAS STEVENSON



[SKERRYVORE, BOURNEMOUTH], JANUARY 1ST, 1886.

MY DEAR PEOPLE, - Many happy returns of the day to you all; I am
fairly well and in good spirits; and much and hopefully occupied
with dear Jenkin's life. The inquiry in every detail, every letter
that I read, makes me think of him more nobly. I cannot imagine
how I got his friendship; I did not deserve it. I believe the
notice will be interesting and useful.

My father's last letter, owing to the use of a quill pen and the
neglect of blotting-paper, was hopelessly illegible. Every one
tried, and every one failed to decipher an important word on which
the interest of one whole clause (and the letter consisted of two)
depended.

I find I can make little more of this; but I'll spare the blots. -
Dear people, ever your loving son,

R. L. S.

I will try again, being a giant refreshed by the house being empty.