I could attempt a series of lectures upon Japanese topics,--dealing
incidentally with psychological, religious, social, and artistic
impressions,--so as to produce in the minds of my hearers an idea of
Japan different from that which is given in books. Something, perhaps,
in the manner of Mr. Lowell's "Soul of the Far East" (incomparably the
greatest of all books on Japan, and the deepest),--but from a different
point of view.
What I could _not_ do would be to put myself forward as an authority
upon Japanese history, or any special Japanese subject. The value of
my lectures would depend altogether upon suggestiveness,--not upon any
crystallizations of fact.
Again, there is a doubt to be solved--concerning _quantity_ as well
as quality. To do my best, I should hope that quantity were not too
strongly insisted upon. How many lectures would be wanted during one
term--distinct lectures? and how many hours would be demanded for a
lecture?... You see, the conditions in Tōkyō are monstrous: I have
to lecture twelve hours a week on _four_ different subjects;--that means
for lecturing what reporter's work means in relation to literature!... I
imagine that I could endeavour to do something about equal to the work
of Professor Rhys-Davids in his American lectures,--as to bulk. The six
lectures represent a volume of about 225 pages. Lectures to represent,
in printed form, a carefully made book of about 250 or 300 pages would
represent my best effort.
For I have reached that time of life at which "the state of the weather"
becomes a topic of enormous importance.
And the rest of what has to be said I shall put into a letter, which I
pray you to read, and to poke into the fire if it is not satisfactory.
To fail, after being recommended by you, would be an unpardonable sin
against all the higher virtues. Can't risk it.
Well, if President Schurman can make good use of me, and arrange things
within my capacity, I will go straight to your Palace of Faery before
going elsewhere. Only to see you again--even for a moment,--and to hear
you speak (in some one of the Myriad Voices), would be such a memory
for me. And you would let me "walk about gently, touching things"?...
It is an almost divine pleasure and wonder to watch the unfolding of a
soul-blossom, as you say,--providing that one is strong enough not to
be afraid. I am, or have been, always afraid: the Future-Possible of
Nightmare immediately glooms up,--and I flee, and bury myself in work.
Absurd?
And your book--of course that will be some opportunity for a delightful
chat. You will find me as good as I can be in expressing an opinion,--if
the subject be within my range. I know that the work of such a person
as--Mrs. Deland, for example--is beyond my limit; and I imagine that you
would write of highly complex existences....
Excuse my anxiety about my chicken. I want to feel sure that I can make
him comfortable and warm if I do go to Cornell. I want to make all the
money, too, that I honestly can earn, for his sake and the mother's.
She will have some trying moments in the hour of parting with him. But
there is no other future chance for him, and no educational place here
to which I could trust him--least of all, the Jesuits. Very different it
is with my second sturdy boy, who has no trace of European blood. His
way is straight and smooth. I send his picture, that you may see the
difference. And my third boy--sturdiest of all--will have other friends
to help him, I fancy....