STEVENSON TO BARRIE

STEVENSON, R. L. A. L. S., 1 p., 4to. To J. M. Barrie

("Kirriemuir, or wheresoever he may be found"). Without date.

"My dear Barrie, My cousin, the bearer of this, Graham Balfour, incessantly proceeding on his own affairs, for England, takes to you, M. M. Barrie, seated in that inclement island, the greetings of, Sir, your obedient Servant

Robert Louis Stevenson."

Dictated to Isobel Strong, signed by R. L. Stevenson.

Vailima

Samoa

Dec.7th, 1893

My dear Barrie

I have received duly the *magnum opus*-- and it really is a *magnum opus*. It is a beautiful specimen of Clark's printing, paper sufficient, and the illustrations all my fancy painted, but the particular flower of the flock to whom I have hopelessly lost my heart is Tibby Birse. I must have known Tibby Birse when she was a servants mantua maker in Edinburgh and answered to the name of *Miss Brodie*. She used to come and sew with my nurse, sitting with her leg crossed in a masculine manner; and swinging her foot emphatically, she used to pour forth a perfectly unbroken stream of gossip. I didn't hear it, I was immersed in far more important business with a box of bricks, but the recollection of that thin perpetual shrill sound of a voice has echoed in my ears sineyne.

I am bound to say she was younger than Tibbie but there is no mistaking that subtle indescribable and eminently Scottish expression.

I have been very much prevented of late, having carried out thoroughly to my own satisfaction two considerable illnesses, had a birthday, visited Honolulu, where politics are (if possible) a shade more exasperating than they are with us, and generally employed myself upon what I suppose must be my Father's business for at least it's not mine. I am told that that it was just when I was on the point of leaving that I received your superlative epistle about the cricket eleven.** In that case it is impossible I should have answered it which is inconsistent with my own recollection of the fact. What I remember is that I sat down under the immediate inspiration and wrote an answer in every way worthy. If I didn't as it seems proved that I couldn't, it will never be done now. However I did the next best thing, I equipped my cousin Graham Balfour with a letter of introduction and from him, if you know how,-- for he is rather of the Scottish character-- you may elicit all the information you can possibly with to have as to us and ours. I believe you were also made a member of our great Temperance Society for the Consumption of Whiskey.

there is in the world that I should be prevented from taking this lovely villain to
my bosom now when trouble is over and the battle won.

Whereupon I make you my salute with the firm remark whi that it
is time to be done with trifling and give us a great book and my ladies fall into line
with me and pay you a most respectful courtesy and we all join in the cry of "Come to
Vailima!"

My dear Sir your soul's health is in it. You will never do the
great book, you will never cease to work in L etc till you come to Vailima.

(Signed) Robert Louis Stevenson.

* "A Window in Thrums" illustrated edition.

** "An Edinburgh Eleven: Pencil Portraits from College Life," London, 1889.

*** See the Temperance Society-- "Mariposa Sanitary Association" minutes attached to this letter.

**** Wodrow's "Analecta," 4 vols., 4to. Stevenson personal annotated copy in the E. J. Beinecke Collection, from the Vailima library.

***** Scots for "Low in your ear, Sir."

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This letter was sold at Sotheby's, Dec.2, 1937, to Maggs, London, from whom it was
purchased by the Beinecke library, Sept.1940.

It is partially published in "The Letters;" deleted material is underscored in
red pencil above.