Your poem, "A Dream of Fear" was so good before that it needed no
improvement, though I'm glad to observe that you have "the passion for
perfection." Sure--you shall have your word "colossal" applied to a
thing of two dimensions, an you will.
I have no objection to the publication of that sonnet on me. It may
give my enemies a transient feeling that is disagreeable, and if I can
do that without taking any trouble in the matter myself it is worth
doing. I think they must have renewed their activity, to have provoked
you so--got up a new and fascinating lie, probably. Thank you for
putting your good right leg into action themward.
What a "settlement" you have collected about you at Carmel! All manner
of cranks and curios, to whom I feel myself drawn by affinity. Still I
suppose I shall not go. I should have to see the new San
Francisco--when it has foolishly been built--and I'd rather not. One
does not care to look upon either the mutilated face of one's mashed
friend or an upstart imposter bearing his name. No, _my_ San Francisco
is gone and I'll have no other.
* * * * *
You are wrong about Gorky--he has none of the "artist" in him. He is
not only a peasant, but an anarchist and an advocate of
assassination--by others; like most of his tribe, he doesn't care to
take the risk himself. His "career" in this country has been that of a
yellow dog. Hearst's newspapers and * * * are the only friends that
remain to him of all those that acclaimed him when he landed. And all
the sturdy lying of the former cannot rehabilitate him. It isn't
merely the woman matter. You'd understand if you were on this side of
the country. I was myself a dupe in the matter. He had expressed high
admiration of my books (in an interview in Russia) and when his
Government released him from prison I cabled him congratulations. O,
my!
Yes, I've observed the obviously lying estimates of the San Franciscan
dead; also that there was no earthquake--just a fire; also the
determination to "beat" the insurance companies. Insurance is a hog
game, and if they (the companies) can be beaten out of their dishonest
gains by superior dishonesty I have no objection; but in my judgment
they are neither legally nor morally liable for the half that is
claimed of them. Those of them that took no earthquake risks don't owe
a cent.
Please don't send * * *'s verses to me if you can decently decline. I
should be sorry to find them bad, and my loathing of the Whitmaniacal
"form" is as deep as yours. Perhaps I should find them good otherwise,
but the probability is so small that I don't want to take the chance.
* * * * *
I've just finished reading the first proofs of "The Cynic's Word
Book," which Doubleday, Page & Co. are to bring out in October. My
dealings with them have been most pleasant and one of them whom I met
the other day at Atlantic City seems a fine fellow.
I think I told you that S. O. Howes, of Galveston, Texas, is compiling
a book of essays and sich from some of my stuff that I sent him. I've
left the selection entirely to him and presented him with the profits
if there be any. He'll probably not even find a publisher. He has the
work about half done. By the way, he is an enthusiastic admirer of
you. For that I like him, and for much else.
I mean to stay here all summer if I die for it, as I probably shall.
Luck and love to you.
Sincerely yours,
AMBROSE BIERCE.
[The Army and Navy Club, Washington, D. C.,
June 20, 1906.]