_To George Henschel._
Answering a suggestion that H. J. should write a libretto to be set
to music by Sir George Henschel.
34 De Vere Gardens, W.
January 22d, 1895.
My dear Henschel,
Your flattering dream is beautiful--but, I fear, alas, delusive. When I
say I 'fear' it, I mean I only too completely feel it. It is a charming
idea, but the root of the libretto is not in me. We will talk of
it--yes: because I will talk with you, with joy, of _anything_--will
even play to myself that I have convictions I haven't, for that
privilege. But I am unlyrical, unmusical, unrhythmical, unmanageable.
And I hate "old New England stories"!--which are lean and pale and poor
and ugly. But let us by all means talk--and the more the better. I am
touched by your thinking so much good of me--and I embrace you, my dear
Henschel, for such rich practical friendship and confidence. I
congratulate you afresh on your glorious wife, I await you with
impatience, and I stretch out to you across the wintry wastes the very
grateful hand of yours always,