Letter from Lafcadio Hearn to Horace Elisha Scudder

be blamed in the Atlantic for not doing what I never pretended to do, and find myself maliciously belittled when I never claimed to be more than a sketch-writer, and gave all my work to the magazine instead of to newspaper syndicates, - seems to me pretty rough treatment. But I am sure your sense of justice will secure me from any repetition of the same treatment. If my letter was too illnatured, consider that the difficulties under which I labor are very trying to patience; -

and a reproach for my incapacities in the Atlantic, from an outside anonymous pen, rather staggers me. If you wish to use the "New Civilization", perhaps this will reach you in time to suggest a slight modification of the finale. I fear that I may seem to figure as an opponent of individualism altogether, - which I am not, being a student of Spencer. Its cultivation at a wrong time, and in minds childish compared with our own, may, however, be disastrous. I would

pray you to make some such change as this: - My original sentence began: "Individuality, in this accepted sense of selfishness" - For this, I would substitute - "The cultivation of the individual - not for the specialization of the highest moral and mental capacities, combined, but for mental power alone, directed to selfish ends", etc - I remain, very truly yours Lafcadio Hearn Kobe, Aug 1st. 95. P.S. - I must add, on second thought, that I do not really care to write for another magazine, - unless I can get a very big price. The Syndicates pay much better. Perhaps you had better keep all.

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