292 GBOEGB JOHN EOMANBS 1893 



To James Bomanes, Esq. 



Madeira : January 1, 1893. 



This is the first letter which I write in 1893, and 

 am Writing it early in the morning before breakfast. 

 New Year's Day is as glorious in sunshine and azure 

 as all — or nearly all — the others have been since we 

 cafne. I wish you many returns of them and happy, 

 whether in cloud or sunshine. 



January 31, 1893. 



Your letter on the 16th has been a great treat to 

 me ; it rings true and deep, and the next best thing 

 to having dear ones near is to receive expressions of 

 their dearness. 



Besides, I am all alone here, for but a few days, 

 it is true, still the place seems dreary under present 

 circumstances, therefore all you say is opportunely 

 said. 



For my own part I have always felt that the two 

 most precious things in life are faith and love, and 

 more and more the older that I grow. Ambition 

 and achievement are a long way behind in my ex- 

 . perience, in fact out of the running altogether. The 

 disappointments are many and the prizes few, and by 

 the time they are attained seem small. 



The whole thing is vanity and vexation of spirit 

 without faith and love. 



Perhaps it is by way of compensation for having 

 lost the former that the latter has been dealt to me 

 in such full measure. I never knew anyone so well 

 off in this respect. . . . 



