By  Robert Louis Stevenson. Edited by Sidney Colvin and Colin Heston

“The Letters of Robert Louis Stevenson, Parts XI–XIV”, collected in Volume XXV of the Swanston Edition of Stevenson’s works, brings to a close one of the most remarkable collections of literary correspondence in the English language. Edited with meticulous care and deep personal insight by Sidney Colvin, this final volume continues the chronicle of Stevenson’s life through his own words, offering readers a profound and intimate view of the author’s final years and enduring legacy.

These concluding parts of Stevenson’s letters span the last phase of his life, primarily focused on his time in Samoa, where he had settled permanently in 1890. Despite his ongoing battle with chronic illness, Stevenson remained intellectually and creatively active, producing some of his most mature and reflective work. His letters from this period are rich in philosophical insight, literary commentary, and political observation, particularly concerning the colonial tensions in the South Pacific and his advocacy for the Samoan people.

The correspondence in this volume is addressed to a wide and varied circle: family members, literary peers, publishers, and political figures. These letters reveal a man who, though physically isolated, remained deeply engaged with the world. They are filled with Stevenson’s characteristic wit, warmth, and eloquence, but also with a growing sense of urgency and introspection as he approached the end of his life.

Sidney Colvin’s editorial contributions are especially valuable in this volume. As Stevenson’s close friend and literary executor, Colvin provides detailed introductions, annotations, and contextual commentary that illuminate the personal and historical background of each letter. His work ensures that readers not only follow the narrative of Stevenson’s life but also understand the broader cultural and political forces at play during this period.

The Swanston Edition presents these letters with scholarly precision and literary sensitivity, making Volume XXV an essential resource for anyone interested in Stevenson’s life, Victorian literature, or the art of letter writing. The collection as a whole—spanning Volumes XXIII to XXV—offers a comprehensive and deeply human portrait of Stevenson, capturing his evolution from a restless young writer to a mature and morally engaged literary figure.

“The Letters of Robert Louis Stevenson, Parts XI–XIV” is more than a conclusion to a correspondence—it is a culmination of a life lived with passion, intellect, and integrity. Through these final letters, Stevenson’s voice continues to resonate, offering insight, inspiration, and a lasting connection to one of literature’s most enduring spirits.

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2025. 296p.

By  Robert Louis Stevenson

“The Pentland Rising: A Page of History, 1666” is one of Robert Louis Stevenson’s earliest published works, first appearing in 1866 when he was just sixteen years old. Included in Volume XXII of the Collected Works of Robert Louis Stevenson, this historical narrative offers a vivid and dramatic account of the Pentland Rising, a significant episode in Scottish history that marked the beginning of the Covenanter uprisings against the Stuart monarchy.

The Pentland Rising refers to the Battle of Rullion Green, fought on November 28, 1666, in the Pentland Hills near Edinburgh. It was the culmination of a brief but intense rebellion by Scottish Presbyterians—known as Covenanters—who opposed the imposition of episcopacy and sought to defend their religious freedoms against the authoritarian policies of Charles II. Stevenson’s account, though written in his youth, is notable for its clarity, narrative energy, and early signs of the literary talent that would later define his career.

In this work, Stevenson blends historical fact with dramatic storytelling, reconstructing the events leading up to the uprising, the motivations of the Covenanters, and the brutal suppression that followed. He draws on historical sources and family lore—his own ancestors were connected to the events—to create a compelling portrait of religious conviction, political resistance, and tragic heroism.

Though brief, The Pentland Rising is rich in historical detail and emotional resonance. It reflects Stevenson’s early interest in Scottish history, identity, and moral conflict, themes that would recur throughout his later works. The narrative captures the tension between loyalty to conscience and obedience to authority, making it both a historical document and a meditation on civil disobedience.

The Swanston Edition (Volume XXII) presents this early work with scholarly annotations and contextual commentary, situating it within Stevenson’s development as a writer and the broader historical landscape of 17th-century Scotland. For readers interested in Scottish history, religious conflict, or the formative writings of one of the 19th century’s most beloved authors, The Pentland Rising offers a fascinating and poignant glimpse into the past.

Read-Me.Org Inc. Australia-New York-Philadelphia. 2025. 202p.

By R. L. Stevenson. Edited by Colin Heston

“A Footnote to History” is a powerful and politically charged historical narrative by Robert Louis Stevenson, first published in 1892 and included in the Swanston Edition, Volume XVII. This work stands apart from Stevenson’s more widely known fiction by offering a firsthand account of the complex and often tragic political turmoil in Samoa during the late 19th century—a conflict in which Stevenson himself became deeply involved.

Written during Stevenson’s residence in the South Pacific, the book chronicles the events between 1882 and 1890, a period marked by intense rivalry among Germany, Britain, and the United States for control over the Samoan Islands. These imperial powers, each supporting different local factions, contributed to a prolonged and destabilizing civil conflict. Stevenson, living in Vailima on the island of Upolu, witnessed the unfolding crisis and used his literary voice to document and critique the actions of foreign governments and their representatives.

The narrative is both historical and personal. Stevenson combines detailed political analysis with vivid descriptions of the people, landscapes, and cultural dynamics of Samoa. He portrays the Samoan chiefs and communities with empathy and respect, while sharply criticizing the incompetence, arrogance, and moral failures of the colonial powers. His tone is often impassioned, reflecting his frustration with the injustices he observed and his desire to influence public opinion in Europe and America.

“A Footnote to History” is notable for its journalistic clarity, moral urgency, and literary elegance. It is not merely a chronicle of events but a reflection on the broader consequences of imperialism and the human cost of political ambition. Stevenson’s involvement in Samoan affairs—both as an observer and as an advocate—gives the work a rare authenticity and immediacy.

The Swanston Edition presents this important text with scholarly annotations and historical context, situating it within Stevenson’s broader body of work and the geopolitical realities of the time. As both a historical document and a literary achievement, A Footnote to History remains a compelling and insightful exploration of colonial entanglements and the responsibilities of witness.

By William Law Mathieson

This is a continuation of " British Slavery and its Abolition, 1823-1838,” which was published in 1926, and the work would have appeared earlier if my attention had not been diverted to the slave trade. From the dates it will be seen that I have confined myself to the first eleven years of emancipation, which constitute its initial phase. The Sugar Act of 1846 had the same effect on the agriculture of the West Indian colonies as had the Corn Act of the same year on the agriculture of the home country; and the new regime was not permanently established till the planters had lost both the main supports of their former system—their slaves and their monopoly of the home market. In other words, the period is marked off by two crises, opening with the crisis of emancipation and closing with that of free trade. The Sugar Act, which provided for the gradual scaling down of protection, was revised in 1848, and was not secured against further alteration till the resistance to it in Jamaica and British Guiana had been abandoned in 1849.

Octagon Books, 1967, 253 pages