DEAR MRS. HIRN,--Your very kind letter from Italy is with me.
I am sorry to know that you have met with so painful a trial since I
last wrote to you. Indeed, I hope you will believe that I am sincerely
and sympathetically interested in the personal happiness or sorrow of
any who wish me well,--and you need never suppose me indifferent to the
affairs of which you speak so unselfishly and so touchingly.
By this time, no doubt, you will have seen much of the fairest land of
Europe, and will scarcely know what to do with the multitude of new
impressions crowding in memory for special recognition. Perhaps Italy
will tempt you to do something more than translate: one who becomes
soul-steeped in that golden air ought to feel sooner or later the
impulse to create. I wish I could find my way to Italy: when a child I
spoke only Italian, and Romaic. Both are now forgotten.
Thanks for the magazine so kindly sent me, and thanks for your
explanation of that rendering of "ewigt" as signifying endlessness in
space as well as time. That, indeed, settles the matter about which I
was in doubt.
It is a pleasure to know that you received "Kotto," and liked some
things in it. I thought your list of selections for translation very
nice,--with one exception. "The Genius of Japanese Civilization" is a
failure. I thought that it was true when I wrote it; but already Japan
has become considerably changed, and a later study of ancient social
conditions has proved to me that I made some very serious sociological
errors in that paper. For example, in feudal times, up to the middle of
the last century, there was really no possibility of travelling (for
common people at least) in Japan. Iron law and custom fettered men to
the soil, like the serfs of mediæval Europe. My paper, unfortunately,
implied the reverse. And that part of the paper relating to the
travelling of Japanese common people is hopelessly wrong as regards the
past. As regards the present, it requires modification.
Your remark about the hard touch in Bellesort's book is very just.... He
was accompanied by his wife,--born in Persia, and able to talk Persian.
She was keener even than he,--a very clever silent woman, attractive
rather than sympathetic.... Bellesort has been travelling a great deal;
and "La Société Japonaise" is his best volume of travel. His book on
South America is cruel.
I am not sure whether you would care for Nitôbé's book "Bushidō"--a
very small volume, or rather treatise upon the _morale_ of Samurai
education. From a literary standpoint it would not tempt you: it is only
a kind of "apology." But it is to some extent instructive....
I suppose that Dr. Hirn will meet Domenico Comparetti, the author of
"The Traditional Poetry of the Finns." I gave a lecture lately on the
poetical values of the "Kalewala," and I found that book of great use to
me.
Please excuse my loquacity, and let me wish you and the doctor every
happiness and success. Perhaps I shall write you again--from America.
Only the gods know.
Sincerely yours,
LAFCADIO HEARN.