I gave Gessi a letter to you. He
is a zealous and energetic, sharp fellow. I shall not, however, take
him back with me even if I go. I do not like having a man with a
family hanging on one.
"Believe me,
"Yours sincerely,
"C. G. GORDON."
Burton then wrote to Gordon, urging him to write a book on his
experiences in Equatorial Africa, and asking what his intentions were
about returning. In his reply Gordon first broaches the idea which he
afterwards returned to again and again--namely, that Burton should take
up work in Egypt.
"7, CECIL STREET, STRAND, January 12, 1877.
"Thank you for your kind note. Gessi wrote to me from Trieste, dating
his letter only 'Trieste,' and I replied to that address, so I suppose
the postoffice know him. Yes; I am back, but I have escaped persecution.
Wilson I have heard nothing of. I have not the least intention of
publishing anything.[6] My life and work there was a very humdrum one;
and, unlike you, I have no store of knowledge to draw on. (I may tell
you your book was thought by us all out in Africa as by far the best
ever written.) I am not going back to H. H. It is a great pang to me,
I assure you; but it is _hopeless, hopeless_ work. Why do not you take
up the work? You may not be so sensitive as I am.
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