Autograph letter signed : Bournemouth, to John Addington Symonds, [1887].

Stevenson writes in the most extravagant terms inviting Symonds to join him and his wife at Aix-les-Bains that summer ("...This is disgraceful: this great gap. But for all that, it means no forgetfulness on our side, and, I feel sure, none on yours. We are going to Aix-les-Bains, I think, pretty early in May. Here seems a chance, a providence, a manifest staring providence. Why should not a man of your size, weight, wealth, understanding and good heart, come the length of Switzerland seeing that we shall have gone the breadth of France (and a bittock mair)? and why should there not be a reunion of forces at Aix-les-Bains...Symonds, say YES...The Symonds who hesitates is Lost...Come, let it be so: I have lots to say, so have you. I cannot write, it seems; you do not, it is certain. Symonds, it is time we met. My wife says come, and the spirit says come, and poor Wogg (who is now in a better world, hell to wit) would say come, if he had ever learned to say anything but oaths..."), and subscribing himself "in spite of unmanly silence" ever his friend.