YAIDZU, August, 1899.
DEAR MITCHELL,--I am writing to you under _very_ great difficulties, and
on a floor,--and therefore you must not expect anything very good.
Got to Yaidzu last night, and took a swim in a phosphorescent sea.
To-day is cold and grey--and not a day for you to enjoy. I saw an
immense crowd of pilgrims for Fuji at Gotemba, and wondered if you would
go up, as this time you would have plenty of company.
Sorry I did not see dear Dr. Bedloe; but I hope to catch him upon his
way back to the Far East.
How I wish you could come down some fine day here--only, I _do_ fear
that you could not stand the fleas. I must say that it requires patience
and perseverance to stand them. But you can have glorious swimming. When
I can get that--_fleas_ and all other things are of no consequence.
Also I am afraid that you would not like the odours of fish below
stairs, of _daikon_, and of other things all mixed up together. _I_
don't admire them;--but there is swimming--nothing else makes much
difference.
You would wonder if you saw how I am quartered, and how much I like it.
I _like_ roughing it among the fisher-folk. I love them. I am afraid
that you not only couldn't stand it, but that you would be somewhat
angry if you came down here--would tell me that "I ought to have known
better," etc. Nevertheless I want you to come for one day--see if you
can stand it. "Play up the Boyne Wather softly till I see if I can stand
it." Ask Dr. Bedloe the result of playing the Boyne Wather softly. But I
am warning you fairly and fully.
Affectionately,
LAFCADIO.
P. S. I am _sure_ that you could not stand it--perfectly sure. But
then--think of the value of the _experience_. I had a Japanese officer
here last year and _he_ liked it.