Subject
Authors, Scottish -- 19th century -- Correspondence Books
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Robert Louis Stevenson
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition, Vol. 24
"The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition, Vol. 24" by Stevenson is a collection of letters penned by the renowned Scottish author, reflecting periods of his life during the late 19th century. This edition captures Stevenson's thoughts, observations, and experiences during his time in France and reflects upon his struggles with health and his writing pursuits. The letters convey personal relationships, travels, and literary projects, aiming to provide readers with a deeper understanding of Stevenson as both a person and an artist. At the start of this volume, the narrative reveals that Stevenson has recently returned from California, yet his health remains fragile, leading him to seek a suitable climate in the Mediterranean. The initial letters express his discomfort with the life of an invalid and document his journeys in search of a healing environment, including settling in a house in St. Marcel, near Marseilles. However, a series of misfortunes soon follows—health complications, an epidemic that disrupts their plans, and correspondence with friends and family that explores both playful banter and heartfelt sentiments. These early exchanges set the stage for a reflective personal journal that intertwines his literary ambitions with his struggles against illness.
Robert Louis Stevenson
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition, Vol. 25
"The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition, Vol. 25" by Stevenson is a collection of letters and writings that detail the author's life and experiences during his time in Samoa, written in the late 19th century. The volume focuses particularly on Stevenson's first year at Vailima, detailing the trials, tribulations, and cultural observations he encountered while living in the South Seas. The correspondence offers a personal insight into Stevenson's thoughts on literature, farming, local politics, and his interactions with various figures of his time. The opening of the volume introduces Stevenson and his wife arriving at their newly built cottage in Samoa, amidst the challenges of adapting to their rugged surroundings. The letters articulate the hardships they faced in establishing their home—issues with labor, local customs, and the natural environment—as well as Stevenson's reflections on his writing projects during this period. The narrative blends personal anecdotes with observations about the colorful and often complicated political landscape of Samoa, capturing the essence of his life in this new and exotic locale while maintaining a focus on his literary endeavors and friendships.
Robert Louis Stevenson
The Letters of Robert Louis Stevenson — Volume 1
"The Letters of Robert Louis Stevenson — Volume 1" by Robert Louis Stevenson is a collection of personal letters written during the late 19th century. This volume takes readers into the life of Stevenson during his formative years, detailing his travels, family interactions, and observations of the world around him as he navigates through his adolescence and early adulthood. The opening of the collection presents a series of letters that reveal Stevenson's wit, humor, and keen observations of life. He writes to his mother and relatives about his experiences at school, his escapades with friends, and his reflections on the places he visits. From childhood whims about birthday cakes to insightful comments on the scenery while traveling, the letters capture his personality and the landscape of his thoughts. Through his playful language and candid emotions, readers glimpse the makings of a great writer as he shapes his understanding of life and relationships.
Robert Louis Stevenson
The Letters of Robert Louis Stevenson — Volume 2
"The Letters of Robert Louis Stevenson — Volume 2" by Robert Louis Stevenson is a collection of personal letters written during the late 19th century. This volume offers insights into Stevenson’s relationships with family and friends while documenting his thoughts, travels, and creative processes as he navigates life as a writer beset by health challenges. The opening of this volume reveals Stevenson’s correspondence from January 1886, when he resides in Bournemouth, to various friends and family members. Through his letters, we see Stevenson's affectionate yet humorously self-deprecating tone as he discusses mundane daily events, health woes, and his writing endeavors. He expresses deep sentiments toward the recipients, shares anecdotes, and reflects on his literary work, demonstrating a rich inner life intertwined with a genuine concern for those in his circle. This section captures both the warmth of his relationships and the struggles of a writer striving to reconcile creativity with personal adversity.
Thomas Carlyle
The Correspondence of Thomas Carlyle and Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1834-1872, Vol. I
"The Correspondence of Thomas Carlyle and Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1834-1872, Vol. I" is a collection of letters written between 1834 and 1873. This remarkable exchange between two literary giants spans nearly four decades, beginning with their first meeting at a remote Scottish farmhouse. The letters chronicle their deep intellectual bond, collaborative publishing ventures, and evolving friendship across an ocean. Political differences—particularly regarding the American Civil War—test their connection, yet their mutual respect endures. These intimate documents reveal the personal struggles, philosophical debates, and profound affection between two of the nineteenth century's most influential thinkers.
Robert Louis Stevenson
Vailima Letters Being Correspondence Addressed by Robert Louis Stevenson to Sidney Colvin, November 1890-October 1894
"Vailima Letters" by Robert Louis Stevenson is a collection of correspondences written during the late 19th century. The letters mainly convey Stevenson's reflections and experiences while living in the South Sea islands of Samoa, particularly focusing on his new life as a planter and writer, where he shares both the beauty of the tropical landscapes and the challenges that come with settling in a foreign land. At the start of the work, Stevenson writes to his friend Sidney Colvin, offering a vivid and detailed account of his daily life, including his struggles with farming, the management of his household, and his creative writing endeavors. He describes encounters with local Samoans, observations on their culture, and the interplay of domestic tasks and literary pursuits, all set against the backdrop of the lush and sometimes challenging environment of Vailima. These initial letters hint at a blend of personal, political, and social themes that will provide a rich exploration of both his external circumstances and internal thoughts throughout the correspondence.
Thomas Carlyle
The Correspondence of Thomas Carlyle and Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1834-1872, Vol II.
"The Correspondence of Thomas Carlyle and Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1834-1872" is a collection of letters written between 1834 and 1873. This remarkable exchange between two literary giants spans nearly four decades, beginning with their memorable first meeting at a remote Scottish farmhouse. The letters chronicle their intellectual kinship, collaborative publishing ventures, and evolving friendship tested by time, distance, and diverging political views—including tensions over the American Civil War. Through personal visits, philosophical debates, and enduring affection, their correspondence captures one of the nineteenth century's most significant literary relationships.
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