I hope you have received the Tauchnitz volume of “Wind and Wave.” The text of Selected Tales has been revised where advisable, sometimes considerably. The gain is very marked I think, especially in simplicity. I hope you will like the preface. The long collective-article in the Contemporary for October “Sea-Magic and Running Water” I have already written to you about. One can never tell beforehand, but in all probability the following F. M. articles will appear in December (if not January) issues, viz.:
In The Monthly Review—The Magic Kingdoms.
In The Contemporary—The Lynn of Dreams.
In The Fortnightly—The Four Winds of Eirinn.
As soon as I can possibly work free out of my terribly time-eating correspondence, and am further ahead with my necessary and commissioned pot-boiling articles etc. I want to put together two F. M. volumes, one a vol. of Gaelic essays and Spiritual studies to be called For The Beauty of an Idea and the other a volume of Verse to be called probably “The Immortal Hour and Poems” or else “The Enchanted Valleys.” But I have first a great deal to get off as W. S. and F. M.
What is dear old Tom doing now? Give him my love, and affectionate hug, bless the old reprobate! I was delighted to meet an American admirer (and two hanger-on American admiresses) of his in Florence, who spoke of his work with much admiration as well as personal delight. So I warmed to them mightily in consequence, and had the pleasure of introducing the latest production—the delightful “Consolate Giantess.”
What a letter in length this is! too long for even you, I fear.”
The following letter from Mr. Robert Hichens, another devoted lover of Sicily, reached William Sharp at Maniace:
Dover,
Nov. 4, 1902.
My dear Will,