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them at an advance of about two-thirds over the original figure. I should like to get books, if possible for which all preconceived religions or conventional ideas are excluded: They are so disappointing. Even Renau's "Rîves" were disappointing - he seemed on the edge of so much, yet pushed back no limits and opened no new gateways. Oriental thought does much better than that : it is absolutely fathomless and measureless in suggestion.
-- I am thankful for your suggestions that a sort of mental autobiography might be of interest some day. I do not yet feel ripe enough or big enough to undertake it safely; but I shall do so the moment that the sense
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of strength comes. I suppose it will come if I live long enough to grow a little more. Perhaps you have read those few notes I gave the firm for a biographical notice - and guessed between the lines. But you could not guess all: how very ugly and difficult life has been, - and those phases of to which a man does not care to mention even to his friends. A question is whether this side of exis-tence ought to be mentioned or ought not, - on the general principles that the abnormal is not a subject for study --much less for art. Perhaps this might be said, that shadows are necessary in every picture --except a Japanese print.
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-- I have not yet abandoned the idea of a small book upon Buddhism. it will probably be written, as soon as I am sure of being able to make it something quite unique. But that will require time. Meanwhile I hope to do a little traveling, - perhaps to find the sixteenth century in the Phillippine islands.
Very truly yours Lafcadio Hearn Kobe, Sept, 21st 95
