TŌKYŌ, October, 1899.
DEAR PROFESSOR,--I had given up all expectation of seeing you again in
Japan,--as a letter received from Mr. Edwards gave me to understand
that you were on your way back to England. To-day, however, I learned
by chance that you were still in Tōkyō,--though no longer an
inhabitant of the Palace of Woe. Therefore I must convey to you by this
note Mr. Edwards's best regards, and express my own regret that you will
not again help me through with a single one of those dreary quarters
between classes. However, I suppose that the day of my own emancipation
cannot be extremely remote.
I have had a number of pleasant letters from that wonderful American
friend of ours. He has been in Siam,--where he sold to the King's people
more than two tons of dictionaries without emerging from the awning
of his carriage; and I suppose that the books were carried by a white
elephant with six tusks. He has been since then in Ceylon, Madras,
Calcutta,--all sorts of places, too, ending in "bad,"--doing business.
But he will not return to Japan--he goes to the Mediterranean. He sent
me a box of cigars of Colombo: they are a little "sharp," but very
nice--strange in flavour, but fine.
No other news that could interest you. Excuse me for troubling you with
this note--but the idea of seeking you at the Metropole would fill me
with dismay. If you do go to England, please send me a good-bye card. If
you do not go very soon, I shall probably see you somewhere "far from
the madding crowd."
Best regards,
LAFCADIO HEARN.