TŌKYŌ, August, 1898.
DEAR McDONALD,--I am sending you two of Zola's books, and a rather
complex social novel by Maupassant--not, any of them, to be returned. I
recommend "Rome" only; the others will just do to lend to friends, or to
read for the sake of the French, when you have nothing better on hand.
What a glorious day we did have! Wonder if I shall ever be able to make
a thumbnail literary study thereof,--with philosophical reflections. The
naval officer, the Buddhist philosopher, and the wandering evolutionist.
The impression is altogether too sunny and happy and queer to be forever
lost to the world. I must think it up some day.
My back feels to-day as if those little sand-crabs were running over it;
but the pain is nearly all gone. I shall be ready for another swim in a
day or two.
And that supper at the Grand Hotel! I am awfully demoralized
to-day--feeling gloriously well, but not in a working mood. A week
more of holidays would ruin me! Discomfort is absolutely necessary for
literary inspiration. Make a man perfectly happy, and what has he to
work for? Nothing shall disturb my "ancient solitary reign" excepting
the friends with whom I yesterday imposed upon the patience of certain
crabs,--who suddenly found themselves facing a problem for which all
their inherited experience had left them supremely unprepared.
Too soon we shall have winter upon us again; and I shall be struggling
with problems of university-student peculiarities;--and I shall be
working wonderfully hard at a new book. There will be all kinds of
dull, dark, tiresome days; but whenever I want I can call back the
summer sun,--simply by closing my eyes. Then, in blue light, between
sand and sea-line, I shall discern a U.S. naval officer in Cape May
costume, and a Buddhist philosopher, busied making little holes in the
beach,--sapping and mining the habitations of small horrified crabs.
Also I shall see a lemon yellow sky, with an amethystine Fuji cutting
sharply against it. And many other things,--little dreams of gold.
Affectionately ever,
LAFCADIO.