The Poetical Prose and the Poetry of Charles Kingsley.
Four great masters of modern prose: Carlyle, Ruskin, De Quincey, Froude.
The mystical element in modern lyric verse. (I use the term "mystical"
in the meaning of a blending of the religious with the passional
emotion.)
Of the truth and the ideal beauty in Tolstoi's Theory of Art.
"Beyond man:"--a chapter upon the morality of
insect-communities,--suggesting the probable lines of ethical evolution.
Very heterogeneous, this list; but I have purposely made it so. I have
had to lecture upon hundreds of subjects, without ever having had the
time to write a lecture. (I have to lecture here twelve hours a week, on
four different subjects--and to do one's best is out of the question.
The authorities never pay the slightest attention to what the professor
does; _but they hold him strictly responsible for the success of his
lectures!_) ...
I think that I have hinted ways in which I might be able to make myself
useful--i. e., in the teaching of certain literary values.--There is
also the subject of Composition (method, independently of grammatical
and rhetorical rules). The hard experience of writing certain kinds of
books ought to be of some practical worth. The art of what _not_ to
say,--the art of focussing effects,--the means of avoiding imitation
(even of the unconscious order), and of developing a literary
personality;--these can be talked of, I think, without a knowledge of
Greek or Sanscrit. I really think that I could do some good by lecturing
on these things--though conscious of having often failed in the very
directions that I should recommend.
One thing more, I must not forget to say. I cannot be separated from my
boy--not even for twenty-four hours. I have taught him about three hours
a day every day for several years. When he becomes a little older, I may
be able to let him attend a _day_-school; but at present, I imagine that
this would be difficult. I feel handicapped; but it can't be helped, and
the race is for him.
Summary: As a cog in a wheel I should probably break off. As a personal
equation I might have some worth. And I can wait a full year for a
chance.
Your letter was a wonderful event for me--a great and happy surprise.
The Fairy Queen also wrote me a beautiful letter (I suppose that all she
does is beautiful): I had to read it many times to learn the full charm
of it. I have lost all power to write a nice letter of thanks--feel
stupid.
We have a nice home a little out of Tōkyō--to which I should not
be ashamed to invite you, or even the Fairy Queen: only, you would have
to take off your shoes, for it is a Japanese house.
I shall try to atone later on for the great length of this weary scrawl:
how tired you must be after reading it! All happiness to you. Be sure
that, whether I win or fail, I shall never be able to even tell you how
sincerely and deeply I remain grateful for that letter.