to Mrs. Thomas Stevenson

Monastier, September 1878.

MY DEAR MOTHER,—You must not expect to hear much from me for the next two weeks; for I am near starting.  Donkey purchased—a love—price, 65 francs and a glass of brandy.  My route is all pretty well laid out; I shall go near no town till I get to Alais.  Remember, Poste Restante, Alais, Gard.  Greyfriars will be in October.  You did not say whether you liked September; you might tell me that at Alais.  The other No.’s of Edinburgh are: Parliament Close, Villa Quarters (which perhaps may not appear), Calton Hill, Winter and New Year, and to the Pentland Hills.  ’Tis a kind of book nobody would ever care to read; but none of the young men could have done it better than I have, which is always a consolation.  I read Inland Voyage the other day: what rubbish these reviewers did talk!  It is not badly written, thin, mildly cheery, and strained.  Selon moi.  I mean to visit Hamerton on my return journey; otherwise, I should come by sea from Marseilles.  I am very well known here now; indeed, quite a feature of the place.—Your affectionate son,

R. L. S.

The Engineer is the Conductor of Roads and Bridges; then I have the Receiver of Registrations, the First Clerk of Excise, and the Perceiver of the Impost.  That is our dinner party.  I am a sort of hovering government official, as you see.  But away—away from these great companions!