39 Paternoster Row：
November 28； 1894。
My dear Rider； — I will get hold of the Saturday Review and Spectator reviews of “Beatrice。” I have not heard anything from Liverpool yet about that person； but I will let you hear as soon as I can。 I will not write fully yet on the subject； but I may say that the idea that the character of Beatrice could lead someone into vice is preposterous。 Still less is the example of Bingham likely to throw an unnatural glamour over seduction： in the first place； he was man enough to resist temptation； in the next place； both he and Beatrice were most unmercifully punished。 Do not let this matter worry you。 I assure you there is nothing you need regret。
Longman also wrote：
Christmas Day； 1894。
I like the Preface to “Beatrice” much better as amended。 Lang is quite right： your feelings in the matter did infinite credit to your heart； but you disturbed yourself unnecessarily。 I am glad we inquired into that Liverpool story and pricked the bubble。 I will send you a review of the Preface。 I return Lang’s letter。
I have now found this letter of Lang’s to which Longman refers。 It is dated from St。 Andrews on December 20th； and begins：
You Confounded Ass。 The thing is Rot。 Don’t take it au serieux。 At least that is how it strikes me。 If you must say something； say what I leave in。 The novel seems to me perfectly devoid of moral harm。 There are sill hopes here that the Samoan story is a lie ＇this refers to the death of Stevenson＇。 It has caused me sincere grief； but； at fifty； one seems rather case…hardened。 However； don’t you go and leave the world before me。 R。 L。 S。 had as much pluck； and as kind a heart； as any man that ever lived； and extraordinary charm。
The “Liverpool story” to which L