I forget what the Japanese prints were which I had been sending to
Stevenson at his wish, but they sound like specimens of Hiroshige and
Kuniyoshi. The taste for these things was then quite new and had laid
hold on him strongly.
[_Edinburgh, November 1874._]
MY DEAR COLVIN,--Thank you, and God bless you for ever: this is a far
better lot than the last; I have chosen four complete sets out of it for
setting, quite admirable: the others are not quite one's taste; I find
the colour far from always being agreeable, it is a great toss up. They
have sent me duplicates of first a mad little scene with a white horse,
a red monarch and a blue arm of the sea in it; and second of a night
scene with water, flowers and a black and white umbrella and a wonderful
grey distance and a wonderful general effect--one of my best in fact. Do
not now force yourself to make any more purchases for me; but if ever
you see a thing you would like to lecture off, remember I am the person
who is ready to buy it and let you have the use of it: keep this in view
_always_.