_Vailima_, _Samoa_, _September_ 10, 1894.
DEAR SIR HERBERT MAXWELL,—I am emboldened by reading your very
interesting Rhind Lectures to put to you a question: What is my name,
Stevenson?
I find it in the forms Stevinetoun, Stevensoune, Stevensonne, Stenesone,
Stewinsoune, M’Stein, and MacStephane. My family, and (as far as I can
gather) the majority of the inglorious clan, hailed from the borders of
Cunningham and Renfrew, and the upper waters of the Clyde. In the Barony
of Bothwell was the seat of the laird Stevenson of Stevenson; but, as of
course you know, there is a parish in Cunningham and places in Peebles
and Haddington bearing the same name.
If you can at all help me, you will render me a real service which I wish
I could think of some manner to repay.—Believe me, yours truly,