TŌKYŌ, March, 1898.
DEAR McDONALD,--Wasn't I lucky in deciding to get back early last night?
It would have been no easy matter getting back this morning--everything
is drowned in snow! That was the reason of yesterday's atrocious cold.
Verily I was inspired by the gods--both as to going and returning.
This morning I woke up with an extreme feeling of comfort and
lightness--which reminded me that something very pleasant must have
happened the day before,--and I heard the U.S.C. cynically observing
with a Mephistophelian smile, "Well, I guess our friend here will pull
your chestnuts out of the fire for you!" And then I thanked all the host
of heaven for that which had been, and also for that which would never
again be. After all, I _am_ rather a lucky fellow,--a most peculiarly
lucky fellow. Principally owing to the note written some eight years ago
by a certain sweet young lady whose portrait now looks down on me from
the ceiling of No. 21 Tomihisa-chō, Ichigaya, Ushigome-ku, in the
city of Tōkyō, Japan.
I send with this "Some Chinese Ghosts" in awfully bad condition. Early
work of a man who tried to understand the Far East from books,--and
couldn't; but then, the real purpose of the stories was only artistic.
Should I ever reprint the thing, I would change nothing,--but only
preface the new edition with a proper apology.
You remember my anecdote yesterday of the Memphis man--"What! a d--d
nigger? I'd as soon shoot a nigger as I'd shoot a rat!" He was a very
pretty boy, too. I forgot to tell you something also about him that
occurs to me this morning. He was walking lame in a pair of top-boots
one morning, and I asked him what was the matter. "Only these d--d
boots," he said; "they've taken all the skin off my feet." "Haven't you
another pair?" I asked. "Lots of 'em," he answered; "but I'm not going
to _give in_ to these: I won't let 'em get the better of _me_!--I won't
let them get the better of _me_!" I rather admired this vengeful and
foolish pluck; and I am thinking now that I'd better follow the example.
Spite of all conditions I'm getting No. 6 book under way; and I won't
_give in_ either to publishers or to public.
Loving thanks for yesterday's extraordinary enjoyableness and for all
things. In haste.
Affectionately ever,
LAFCADIO HEARN.