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p.
Lafcadio Hearn
Dear Mr. Scudder -
I add an after-thought:- I beg you will judge my work rather by the later than the earlier MSS. It is only now, after a year and a half that I begin to know something about Japan - the more difficult of all civilized countries to know, and one in which first impressions are most deceptive. The ultimate value of my work cannot, I think, be fairly seen from those first impressions; - nor can I hope to make everything perfect in any MS. It is the final revision and subsequent book-proof reading that will tell , - if the completed work please you - However, I would like to know [initials H.E.S. written before this line] whether you think well or ill of the possibilities of my undertaking, - as your decision would affect, not the present plan, but the method of carrying it out.
{on the left side of the page, vertically writtten is: Very truly yours - Lafcadio Hearn]
[in the bottom left corner is Hearn's Hanko (Japanese personal name stamp)]
[in the upper left corner is stamped: Houghton Mifflin & Co. Boston Sep 3 1891]
[along side the left margin is written in pencil: 61000-3D37-1715]
p.
COPY Heran, Lafcadio to Horace Scudder
Dear Ms.Scudder:-
I add an after-thought:- I beg you will judge my work rather by the later than the earlier MSS. It is only now, after a year and a half that I begin to know something about Japan - the most difficult of all civilized countries to know, and one in which first impressions are most deceptive. The ultimate value of my work cannot, I think, be fairly seen from those first impressions;- nor can I hope to make everything perfect in any MS. It is the final revision and subsequent book-proof reading that will tell, - if the completed work please youHowever, I would like to know whether you think well or ill of the possibilities of my undertaking, - as your decision would affect, not the present plan, but the method of carrying it out. Very truly yours, Lafcadio Hearn
[Has stamped date Houghton, Mifflin & Co.Boston.Sep.3 1891]
