_Skerryvore_ [_Bournemouth_, _July_ 1886].
DEAR BOB,—Herewith another shy; more melancholy than before, but I think
not so abjectly idiotic. The musical terms seem to be as good as in
Beethoven, and that, after all, is the great affair. Bar the dam
bareness of the base, it looks like a piece of real music from a
distance. I am proud to say it was not made one hand at a time; the base
was of synchronous birth with the treble; they are of the same age, sir,
and may God have mercy on their souls!—Yours,