to Sidney Colvin

[Swanston Cottage, Lothianburn, July 1876.]

Here I am, here, and very well too.  I am glad you liked ‘Walking Tours’; I like it, too; I think it’s prose; and I own with contrition that I have not always written prose.  However, I am ‘endeavouring after new obedience’ (Scot. Shorter Catechism).  You don’t say aught of ‘Forest Notes,’ which is kind.  There is one, if you will, that was too sweet to be wholesome.

I am at ‘Charles d’Orléans.’  About fifteen Cornhill pages have already coulé’d from under my facile plume—no, I mean eleven, fifteen of MS.—and we are not much more than half-way through, ‘Charles’ and I; but he’s a pleasant companion.  My health is very well; I am in a fine exercisy state.  Baynes is gone to London; if you see him, inquire about my ‘Burns.’  They have sent me £5, 5s, for it, which has mollified me horrid.  £5, 5s. is a good deal to pay for a read of it in MS.; I can’t complain.—Yours,

R. L. S.