and feared “the phosphorescence of the dead.”  Many of his letters testify to his keen interest in the race.  For example, he tells Mr. J. Pincherle, author of a Romani version of Solomon’s Song,[FN#561] the whole story of his wife and Hagar Burton.  In 1888 he joined the newly-founded “Gypsy Lore Society,” and in a letter to Mr. David MacRitchie (13th May 1888) he says in reference to the Society’s Journal:  “Very glad to see that you write ‘Gypsy.’  I would not subscribe to ‘Gipsy.’” In later letters he expresses his appreciation of Mr. MacRitchie’s article “The Gypsies of India,” and wishes the Society “God speed,” while in that of 13th August 1888, he laments the trifling results that followed his own and Arbuthnot’s efforts in behalf of Orientalism.  “We [The Gypsy Lore Society]” he says, “must advance slowly and depend for success upon our work pleasing the public.  Of course, all of us must do our best to secure new members, and by Xmas I hope that we shall find ourselves on the right road.  Mr. Pincherle writes to me hopefully about his practical studies of Gypsy life in Trieste.  As regards Orientalism in England generally I simply despair of it.  Every year the study is more wanted and we do less.  It is the same with anthropology, so cultivated in France, so stolidly neglected in England.  I am perfectly ashamed of our wretched “Institution” in Hanover Square when compared with the palace in Paris.  However, this must come to an end some day.”

On 13th August 1888, Burton writes to Mr. A. G. Ellis from “The Langham,” Portland Place, and sends him the Preface to the last Supplemental Volume with the request that he would run his eye over it.  “You live,” he continues, “in a magazine of learning where references are so easy, and to us outsiders so difficult.  Excuse this practical proof that need has no law.”  On September 26th he sent a short note to Mr. Payne.  “Arbuthnot,” he said, “will be in town on Tuesday October 2nd.  What do you say to meeting him at the Langham 7 p.m. table d’hote hour? ....  It will be our last chance of meeting.”

Sir Richard and Lady Burton, Dr. Baker, Arbuthnot, and Payne dined together on the evening appointed; and on October 15th Burton left London, to which he was never to return alive.

156.  The Supplemental Nights. 1st December 1886-1st August 1888.

The translation of the Supplemental Nights, that is to say, the collection of more or less interesting Arabian tales not included in the Nights proper, was now completed.  The first volume had appeared in 1886, the last was to be issued in 1888.  Although containing old favourites such as “Alaeddin,” “Zayn Al Asnam,” “Ali Baba,” and the “Story of the Three Princes,” the supplemental volumes are altogether inferior to the Nights proper.  Then, too, many of the tales are mere variants of the versions in the more important work.  Burton’s first two supplemental volumes are from the Breslau text, and, as we said, cover