[On the 16th of April Stevenson and his party left Saranac. After
spending a fortnight in New York, where, as always in cities, his
health quickly flagged again, he went for the month of May into seaside
quarters at Union House, Manasquan, on the New Jersey coast, for the
sake of fresh air and boating. Here he enjoyed the society of some
of his New York friends, including Mr. St. Gaudens and Mr. W. H. Low,
and was initiated in the congenial craft of cat-boat sailing. In the
meantime Mrs. Stevenson had gone to San Francisco, to see whether a
sailing yacht was to be found available for a few months' cruise in the
Pacific. The _Casco_, Captain Otis, was found accordingly; Stevenson
signified by telegraph his assent to the arrangement; determined to risk
in the adventure the sum of £2,000, of which his father's death had
put him in possession, hoping to recoup himself by a book of Letters
recounting his experiences; and on the 2d of June started with his
mother and stepson for San Francisco, and thence for that island cruise
from which he was never to return.]
UNION HOUSE, MANASQUAN, N. J., but address
to Scribner's.
May 11, 1888.
MY DEAR CHARLES,—I have found a yacht, and we are going the
full pitch for seven months. If I cannot get my health back
(more or less), 'tis madness; but, of course, there is the
hope, and I will play big.... If this business fails to set
me up, well, £2,000 is gone, and I know I can't get better.
We sail from San Francisco, June 15th, for the South Seas in
the yacht _Casco_.—With a million thanks for all your dear
friendliness, ever yours affectionately,