To include in one volume under the title of "Juvenilia"--(1) the
translations from Théophile Gautier, revised; (2) "Some Chinese Ghosts;"
(3) miscellaneous essays and sketches upon Oriental subjects, formerly
contributed to the _T.-D_.; (4) miscellaneous sketches on Southern
subjects, two or three, and fantasies,--with a few verses thrown in.
For this I should need to have the French texts to revise, etc. Perhaps
I shall be able to make the arrangement, and so please you. But I badly
need help in the direction of good opinion among people of power. The
prospect of "nothing" in America is frightening. I should be glad
to try England; but scholars are there plentiful as little fleas in
Florida;--and the power of convention has the force of an earthquake.
When one's own adopted country goes back on one--there is small chance
at the age of fifty-three.
Ever most gratefully,
L. H.
I tried to join the Masons here--but it appears that no Japanese citizen
is allowed to become a Mason--at least not in Japan. The Japanese
Minister in London could do it; but he could not have done it here.