It is good to know that you are again happy--that is to say, you are
in Carmel. For your _future_ happiness (if success and a certain
rounding off of your corners would bring it, as I think) I could wish
you in New York or thereabout. As the Scripture hath it: "It is not
good for a man to be in Carmel"--_Revised Inversion_. I note that at
the late election California damned herself to a still lower
degradation and is now unfit for a white man to live in. Initiative,
referendum, recall, employers' liability, woman suffrage--yah!
* * * * *
But you are not to take too seriously my dislike of * * *[15] I like
him personally very well; he talks like a normal human being. It is
only that damned book of his. He was here and came out to my tenement
a few evenings ago, finding me in bed and helpless from lumbago, as I
was for weeks. I am now able to sit up and take notice, and there are
even fears for my recovery. My enemies would say, as Byron said of
Lady B., I am becoming "dangerously well again."
[15] Excised by G. S.
* * * * *
As to harlots, there are not ten in a hundred that are such for any
other reason than that they wanted to be. Their exculpatory stories
are mostly lies of magnitude.
Sloots writes me that he will perhaps "walk over" from the mine to
Yosemite next summer. I can't get there much before July first, but if
there is plenty of snow in the mountains next winter the valley should
be visitable then. Later, I hope to beguest myself for a few days at
the Pine Inn, Carmel. Tell it not to the Point Lobos mussel!
My love to Carrie.
Sincerely yours,
AMBROSE BIERCE.
[Washington, D. C.,
December 27, 1911.]