Letter from Henry James, London, to W. E. Henley, 1879 May 26 : autograph manuscript signed.

Saying "I have just written to America to make the request entertained in your note & have been most happy to do so. I have requested the little books, if they can be found, to be posted directly to you. I am not certain that they can be found, unless indeed you have definite & conclusive proof that they have been published in the U.S. (I never saw them.) If so, it is probably in the little shilling-acting editions; & the individual to whom I have written may be counted upon to disinter them. I admire your courage in attempting an article on Robertson's Comedies - their popularity on the English stage has always seemed to me mainly a proof of the painful feebleness of the modern English repertory. In seeing "Caste" this winter I made more than ever this invidious reflection; for which, by the way, I beg your pardon, as there is nothing more brutal than to make discouraging remarks to a man upon a "subject." I retract the above - & thought "Caste" a noble drama. I am extremely sorry to hear that you are out of work and out of heart - that you have reason to "fear your fortune." I can't imagine so charming a talent & so finished a skill as yours not easily finding their 'emploi' - I read your 2 papers on the French actors in the P.M.G. & thought them capitally turned. I very earnestly hope that you may be able to do the performances in detail. Hopes & wishes are poor comfort when a man has definite needs, & I am almost ashamed to offer you these vacuous commonplaces. But I can't help saying that I trust I shall next hear from you that you are on better terms with life. Remembering that I shall always be glad to hear from you or to serve you in any way I can."