[Let me indeed turn upon myself a little of the light I have been so
fond of casting on others.
Of course these few exceptional later mems are far, far short of one's
concluding history or thoughts or life-giving--only a hap-hazard pinch
of all. But the old Greek proverb put it, "Anybody who really has a good
quality" (or bad one either, I guess) "has _all_." There's something in
the proverb; but you mustn't carry it too far.
I will not reject any theme or subject because the treatment is too
personal.
As my stuff settles into shape, I am told (and sometimes myself
discover, uneasily, but feel all right about it in calmer moments) it
is mainly autobiographic, and even egotistic after all--which I finally
accept, and am contented so.
If this little volume betrays, as it doubtless does, a weakening
hand, and decrepitude, remember it is knit together out of accumulated
sickness, inertia, physical disablement, acute pain, and listlessness.
My fear will be that at last my pieces show indooredness, and being
chain'd to a chair--as never before. Only the resolve to keep up, and
on, and to add a remnant, and even perhaps obstinately see what failing
powers and decay may contribute too, have produced it.
And now as from some fisherman's net hauling all sorts, and disbursing
the same.]