1913] In Glasgow 



scientific discussion an account of Samoa which con- 

 tained some fresh views of Stevenson's life drawn tnSamoa 

 from my own experience in the island made famous 

 by Tusitaia. Curiously enough, this was the most 

 taking of all my talks in Scotland, parts of it being 

 wholly unexpected and the memory of "R. L. S." 

 sacredly cherished in this, his native district. 



On Sunday I crossed the Clyde and spoke to a very 

 large audience of workingmen mainly employed in 

 the building of dreadnoughts but who nevertheless 

 heard my message with close attention and marked 

 approval. 



The provost of Glasgow, Sir Daniel M. Stevenson, Sir Daniel 

 I found very interesting and broadminded. Much Stei ' enson 

 opposed to militarism, he had refused to allow the 

 use of the city hall for a gathering intended to promote 

 naval expansion. In his judgment the rising "patri- 

 otic" noise and efforts to bring about compulsory 

 military service in rivalry with Germany played 

 directly into the hands of the Berlin war group. 

 And from a German capitalist of the town I heard 

 the only joke on the Kaiser one could tell in Prussia 

 without danger of prosecution for lese-majest'e, a 

 misdemeanor for which several Prussian critics had 

 been jailed: 



It seems that Wilhelm once heard of a haunted house and 

 determined to investigate it personally. Leaving his escort at a 

 near-by tavern, therefore, he entered the deserted dwelling and, 

 occupying himself with pen and paper, waited for the ghost. 

 About midnight his followers entered to find him busy writing 

 an opera " aber von Geist, keine Spur!" 1 



'The German word Geist, spirit, has two meanings, one that of "ghost," 

 the other of "inspiration" or "originality." Of "Geist" in either sense there was 

 no trace! 



c 543 : 



