LETTERS FROM SAMOA 1891-1895 BY M. I. STEVENSON CONTENTS PREFACE PART I PART II INDEX LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS PORTRAIT OF MRS. M. I. STEVENSON VAILIMA: SHOWING VAEA MOUNTAIN TO THE WEST OF THE HOUSE VAILIMA MATAAFA. THE VAILIMA HOUSEHOLD PAPAEIA, THE SLIDING ROCK THE NEW HALLVAILIMA THE HALLVAILIMA FEAST TO THE CHIEFS AT THE OPENING OF THE ROAD OF THE LOVING HEARTS LYING IN STATE, 4TH DECEMBER 1894 TONGAN DECORATIONS ON THE GRAVE OF R. L. S THE TOMB OF TUSITALA. "PREFACE This is the second, and last, instalment of JL Mrs, Stevensons Letters, written during her journeys to Samoa and her life there in the household of her son, up to her return home after his death. To Stevenson lovers there may be some interest in his mothers account of the last happy days they spent together on earth. At the same time it may be frankly confessed that these letters are published, far less with a desire to furnish a few more details of a life about which so much has already been written, than to preserve some memorial of one as well beloved, if less widely known. In her own circle Mrs. Stevenson was not in any sense only the mother of R. L. S., and it may be said, without injustice to her brilliant son, that amongst those who knew and loved them both she held no secondary place. Personal charm and wit, a bright responsive spirit, extraordinary quickness of sympathy and understanding, and a sterling......................"