In packing (I'm going to New York) I find this "Tidal" typoscript, and
fear that I was to have returned it. Pray God it was not my neglect to
do so that kept it out of the book. But if not, what did keep it out?
Maybe the fact that it requires in the reader an uncommon acquaintance
with the Scriptures.
If Robertson publishes any more books for you don't let him use
"silver" leaf on the cover. It is not silver, cannot be neatly put on,
and will come off. The "Wine" book is incomparably better and more
tasteful than either of the others. By the way, I stick to my liking
for Scheff's little vignette on the "Wine."
In "Duandon" you--_you_, Poet of the Heavens!--come perilously near to
qualifying yourself for "mention" in a certain essay of mine on the
blunders of writers and artists in matters lunar. You must have
observed that immediately after the full o' the moon the light of that
orb takes on a redness, and when it rises after dark is hardly a
"towering glory," nor a "frozen splendor." Its "web" is not
"silver." In truth, the gibbous moon, rising, has something of menace
in its suggestion. Even twenty-four (or rather twenty-five) hours
"after the full" this change in the quality and quantity of its light
is very marked. I don't know what causes the sudden alteration, but it
has always impressed me.
I feel a little like signing this criticism "Gradgrind," but anyhow it
may amuse you.
Do you mind squandering ten cents and a postage stamp on me? I want a
copy of _Town Talk_--the one in which you are a "Varied Type."
I don't know much of some of your poets mentioned in that article, but
could wish that you had said a word about Edith Thomas. Thank you for
your too generous mention of me--who brought you so much vilification!
Sincerely yours,
AMBROSE BIERCE.
[Washington, D. C.,
May 29, 1911.]