to W. E. Henley

New York [September 1887]

MY DEAR LAD,—Herewith verses for Dr. Hake, which please communicate.  I did my best with the interviewers; I don’t know if Lloyd sent you the result; my heart was too sick: you can do nothing with them; and yet—literally sweated with anxiety to please, and took me down in long hand!

I have been quite ill, but go better.  I am being not busted, but medallioned, by St. Gaudens, who is a first-rate, plain, high-minded artist and honest fellow; you would like him down to the ground.  I believe sculptors are fine fellows when they are not demons.  O, I am now a salaried person, £600 a year, [66] to write twelve articles in Scribner’s Magazine; it remains to be seen if it really pays, huge as the sum is, but the slavery may overweigh me.  I hope you will like my answer to Hake, and specially that he will.

Love to all.—Yours affectionately,

R. L. S.
(le salarie).