The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-05
The Author of ..Dr. IckxII.-

A correspondent Of tho Book Buyer, hav-
ing visited Ilobert Louis Stevenson In his
Adirondack home, writes rs follows about
him:
Fortunately for the fancy Of his readers,
he beans the test Of personal contac, with
something more than success; he in,crprets
his work and gives new ground for impress
sions already formed. Slender in person,
nervous In movement, hisface II sngularly
sensitive 10 emotion and thought Ills
manner ~ gracious and free, without either
self.consciousncss or the affec;ation Of in
difference to the interest which brings peo-
pie to him. Standing before the open fire
in the quaint, low room OF the old house
In which lac II passing the winter, he de-
lights his visitor by tho freshness and
charm u his manner and talk. lIeEpcaks
not with his lips only, often tho Anglo
Saxon manner, but with his whole person.
Ills large, luminous ewes suggest the
depths OF experience and thought out OF
which his psychological romanccs and
studies have issued, and his constant
changes OF attitude, NJ he loses himself In
the conversation. disclose tho dominance
Of his mind over the physique. His
thought Is made moro eloquent by this un-
conscious sympathy Of the whole person.
Mr.. Steyenson's talk rs very like his
writing; Il n fresh, racy, redolent of the
soil out OF which he has grown. His
phrasrs have not hcen worn smooth by
use; they are full Of sharp outlines 90 re-
call his own characteristic description Of a
talker of his acquaintance, "ho must
have worn the words next 10 his skin and
slept with thcm." lie secs everything
from his own point Of view. and puts his
case, not Dramatically, but pictorially,
graphically, with pith and force OF per-
lcclly direct and sincere nature. A. he
talks, one OF those quaint and rHcy essays
In memoirs and Portraits" seems 10 be
prccipitaiing itself; observation, comment
criticism, keen perception OF character and
fact long held IN the solution OF thought,
swiftly crysiallizo into memorable phrase.
Mr.. Stevenson does not indulge In mono
logue; he can supply his own cues, but he
II quito ready 10 take them from others,
and he touches subject after subject
lightly, effectively, with n brilliant
distincincs, both Of perception and
impression. SO active II his mind,
10 alert his imagination, that no
needs but hint, and your tentative IN
quiry draws forth series OF observations
lull q pith and graphic force. There Is
nothing commonplace In Mr.. Stevenson;
he uses none Of the we'll worn conventions,
fences himself with none 81 the customary
reserves. lie gives himself ~ readily IN
Ills speech rs In his books; hc scorns 10 do
less, and he could not do more. Such
man Is we'll worth hearing Discourse Mt
ease before his fire. Without tho snow
lies deep on the bills, and the river runs
dark among lis spruces and fins. TO lose 1T
self in the hollow OF the mountains; low
books are scattered about, the companions
Of man who evidently reads into books
as well rs through them. Above all, the
man himself holds Won BY his simple ear
ncssncs and the fresh and penetrating
charm Of his quality; something purely
individual and tcmpcmmcntal. You re-
joice In his Imperfect vigor.. In the nervous
iorcc Of his attitude aud voice, In tho clear
health Of his wonderful eye, In The prom
ise Of years Of life and work That arc IN
him. 1885,