to E. L. Burlingame

Saranac [February 1888].

DEAR MR. BURLINGAME,—Will you send me (from the library) some of the works of my dear old G. P. R. James.  With the following especially I desire to make or to renew acquaintance: The Songster, The Gipsy, The Convict, The Stepmother, The Gentleman of the Old School, The Robber.

Excusez du peu.

This sudden return to an ancient favourite hangs upon an accident.  The ‘Franklin County Library’ contains two works of his, The Cavalier and Morley Ernstein.  I read the first with indescribable amusement—it was worse than I had feared, and yet somehow engaging; the second (to my surprise) was better than I had dared to hope: a good honest, dull, interesting tale, with a genuine old-fashioned talent in the invention when not strained; and a genuine old-fashioned feeling for the English language.  This experience awoke appetite, and you see I have taken steps to stay it.

R. L. S.