_Saranac_, _Winter_ 1887–8.
DEAR MR. BURLINGAME,—I am keeping the sermon to see if I can’t add
another. Meanwhile, I will send you very soon a different paper which
may take its place. Possibly some of these days soon I may get together
a talk on things current, which should go in (if possible) earlier than
either. I am now less nervous about these papers; I believe I can do the
trick without great strain, though the terror that breathed on my back in
the beginning is not yet forgotten.
_The Master of Ballantrae_ I have had to leave aside, as I was quite
worked out. But in about a week I hope to try back and send you the
first four numbers: these are all drafted, it is only the revision that
has broken me down, as it is often the hardest work. These four I
propose you should set up for me at once, and we’ll copyright ’em in a
pamphlet. I will tell you the names of the _bona fide_ purchasers in
England.
The numbers will run from twenty to thirty pages of my manuscript. You
can give me that much, can you not? It is a howling good tale—at least
these first four numbers are; the end is a trifle more fantastic, but
’tis all picturesque.
Don’t trouble about any more French books; I am on another scent, you
see, just now. Only the _French in Hindustan_ I await with impatience,
as that is for _Ballantrae_. The scene of that romance is Scotland—the
States—Scotland—India—Scotland—and the States again; so it jumps like a
flea. I have enough about the States now, and very much obliged I am;
yet if Drake’s _Tragedies of the Wilderness_ is (as I gather) a
collection of originals, I should like to purchase it. If it is a
picturesque vulgarisation, I do not wish to look it in the face.
Purchase, I say; for I think it would be well to have some such
collection by me with a view to fresh works.—Yours very sincerely,