Letter from William Archer, London, to W. E. Henley, 1894 December 17 : autograph manuscript signed.

Replying to an invitation to memorialize Robert Louis Stevenson; saying "I cannot tell you how touched I am by your applying to me on this occasion. I don't feel as if I could write anything to the purpose, & would really prefer to keep silent. Indeed I had written a telegram begging you to excuse me - but then felt that, since you wanted me to, perhaps I ought to try. I am now awaiting your telegram as to space & time. But if I do the thing at all, it must be on the distinct understanding that if you don't like what I write you say so & let it alone. Who else is going to write? Of course you will say something yourself. Later - Your wire just received. I will try my best to let you have what I can do by tomorrow night - I begin to feel that I have something to say beyond the mere Ave atque Vale which at first seemed the only thing possible or fitting. But as aforesaid, I trust entirely to your judgment. Whatever it may be, I shall always feel that you have done me the greatest honour in even asking me to speak."