
Two post cards from you and a letter from Warry, by one mail made me a proudly happy man yesterday!
My heart's best thanks to you for them as for all the manifold kindnesses you are continually heaping upon J.W.W. and myself!
Surely never were two more fortunate friends than we! We daily congratulate ourselves upon our good
fortune in being honoured with your personal friendship & upon receiving such
frequent proofs of your great & enduring love—"the measureless ocean of
love within" you which you have so "freely poured forth" upon us.
Heaven's best blessing upon you, great-hearted Lover & Benefactor!
We had hoped for better reports concerning you than those contained in your kind p.c., as well as in
Warry's letter to me & H.L.T.'s to J.W.W., but we are
grateful for the small mercy of "a suspicion of a shade of betterment" of which you
speak & we devoutly trust that by this time the dark cloud has shewn shown
its silver lining.
Warry's letter was a "real nice" one—full of domestic details which I value very highly. It also reveals your "sailor-boy's" tenderly sympathetic heart & the genuine affection he has for you.

I have just read Mrs M.L. Rayne's article upon you in the London Edition of the Detroit Free Press for March 21st which shews shows a rather superficial and not altogether accurate acquaintance with you and your work; while the accompanying portrait is a downright libel upon you. It is evidently a copy—& a very poor one—of one of "those smart, professional, foxy prints" which you do not like.
As soon as your 2nd Annex is published we must get the 1890
picture out; but seeing that it will be one of the attractions of the book we deem
it best to withhold it till after its publication there & I thank you cordially
for your kind permission to "give it out as I like."
In this week's Literary World your "Sounds of the Winter" are quoted in full.
You will have noticed that Tennyson cannot promise to write a
Song for your "World's
Fair." Why dont don't
they ask you?
I have read & like much your article in this month's N.A. Review.
It is remarkable how much en evidence you have been of late. You are no longer "rejected of the great magazines" as you were & we now see the beginnings of that universal recognition which will surely be yours one day.
Your old friend Andrew Rome kindly sent me the March no
of Lippincott
& the Conservator containing Sloane
Kennedy's article on you.
March 21st
The first day of Spring! Morning magnificent—Easterly wind, bright sunshine, & blue sky with white clouds.
Afternoon sun clouded over. Have just returned (7 pm) from short visit to J.W.W. at Anderton. He shewed me his highly-prized copy of L. of G. & read me the last poem in it—"Great Are the Myths"—which you have omitted from your later editions

We then went for a delightful walk in Rivington, round by the lake, & much did I enjoy the air—so fresh & invigorating after the town—the peaceful serenity that broods over the landscape, the beautiful scenery and my dear friends' sympathetic companionship. As we walked we talked much & lovingly of you dear Master.
I picked up a few harbingers of spring—a bit of yellow gorse, a twig of "palms"—tomorrow is "palm sunday"—& a coltsfoot flower—wh I enclose w the Detroit Free Press.
With the best heart-love & all good wishes
I remain yours affectionately J Johnston