This correspondent, living at the time in Australia, was, I believe,
the first to write and seek Stevenson's acquaintance from admiration
of his work, meaning especially the Cornhill essays of the
_Virginibus Puerisque_ series so far as they had yet appeared. The
"present" herein referred to is Mr. Martin's volume called _A Sweet
Girl Graduate and other Poems_ (Melbourne, 1876).
[1877]
DEAR SIR,--It would not be very easy for me to give you any idea of the
pleasure I found in your present. People who write for the magazines
(probably from a guilty conscience) are apt to suppose their works
practically unpublished. It seems unlikely that any one would take the
trouble to read a little paper buried among so many others; and reading
it, read it with any attention or pleasure. And so, I can assure you,
your little book, coming from so far, gave me all the pleasure and
encouragement in the world.
I suppose you know and remember Charles Lamb's essay on distant
correspondents? Well, I was somewhat of his way of thinking about my
mild productions. I did not indeed imagine they were read, and (I
suppose I may say) enjoyed right round upon the other side of the big
Football we have the honour to inhabit. And as your present was the
first sign to the contrary, I feel I have been very ungrateful in not
writing earlier to acknowledge the receipt. I dare say, however, you
hate writing letters as much as I can do myself (for if you like my
article, I may presume other points of sympathy between us); and on this
hypothesis you will be ready to forgive me the delay.
I may mention with regard to the piece of verses called _Such is Life_
that I am not the only one on this side of the Football aforesaid to
think it a good and bright piece of work, and recognised a link of
sympathy with the poets who "play in hostelries at euchre."--Believe me,
dear sir, yours truly,