"MEMORIES AND PORTRAITS"

published in 1887, was issued as a companion
volume to "Virginibus Puerisque" [a second edition
of the latter being issued at the same time.]

It comprises sixteen distinct papers or essays, but
taken together, they are, as stated by Stevenson in
his prefatory note, to a certain extent autobi-
ographical

‘A certain thread of meaning binds them—
Memories of childhood and youth, portraits of
those who have gone before us in the battle, —
taken together, they build up a face that ‘I
have loved long since and lost awhile,’ the
face of what was once myself.”

Stevenson evidently intended "Memories and
portraits" to be issued [with Virginibus Puerisque]
in two volumes, under the title of "Familiar Essays"
but it was eventually published in one volume
under the former title.

The three letters included herein are to his
publishers Messrs. Chatto & Windus, and concern
the arrangement, correction and publication of

NOTE

This volume of papers, unconnected as they are, it will be better to read through from the beginning, rather than dip into at random. A certain thread of meaning binds them. Memories of childhood and youth, por-tracts of those who have gone before us in the battle, — taken together, they build up a face that "I have loved long since and lost awhile," the face of what was once myself. This has come by accident: I had no design at first to be autobiographical: I was but led-away by the charm of beloved memories and by regret for the irrevocable dead: and when my own young face (which is a face of the dead also) began to appear in the well as by a kind of magic, I was the first to be sur-prised at the occurrence.

My grandfather the pious child, my father the idle eager, sentimental youth, I have thus unconsciously exposed. Of their descendant, the person of to-day, I wish to keep the secret: not because I love him better, but because, with him, I am still in a business partnership, and cannot divide interests.

Skerryvore.

Bournemouth.

Aug. 2nd.

(1887)

Dear Sirs,

1st. I wish to direct your attention to the
fact that you have not yet acknowledged receipt of
copy for both volumes of the Familiar Essays.

2nd. I enclose another paper for volume two.
I have numbered it fourteen, which you will kindly see
to be correct: I mean it to come immediately before A
Gossip on Romance, i.e., third last in the volume.

3rd. Please have the copy for vol. two, with
this addition, correctly measured: and let me know the
result, reckoned in words, with a comparison with Vol.I.

4th. I sail on the twentieth, if I could possibly have a slip proof of vol. II, I should be able to do what I wished on the voyage and could post you the corrections on landing at New York. This would be a great convenience.

R. & R. Clark, I am sure would manage it for

Bournemouth.

(15 Augt 1887)

Messrs Chatto & Windus.

Dear Sirs,

I here inclose the two titles. Had you not better send me the bargains to sign? I shall be here till Thursday; and shall have an address in London (which I shall send you) till Monday, when I shall sail. Even if the proofs do not reach you till Monday morning,

You could send a clerk from Fenchurch Street Station at 10.23 a.m. from Gallows Station, and he would find me embarking on board the Ludgate Hill, Island Berth, Royal Albert Dock. Pray keep this in case it should be necessary to catch this last chance.

I am most anxious to have the proofs with me on the voyage.