nsurpassable。
All through the book there are points which I have noted for the highest praise； the three white fingers on Ustane’s hair； the dream about the skeletons； the meeting of the Living and the Dead； the Statue of Truth — these are only a few of the really marvellous things that the book contains。 I was a great admirer and； as you know； a warm weler of “King Solomon’s Mines；” but I confess that exceedingly picturesque and ingenious book did not prepare me for “She”； and I do not know what to say； of hope or fear； about any future book of adventure of yours。 I don’t know what is to be imagined beyond the death of Ayesha。
Accept again my thanks for the gift of your book； which I put among my treasures； and now the expression of my sincere and cordial admiration。
Yours most truly；
Edmund Gosse。
P。S。 — May I say； without impertinence； I think the style strikes me as a vast improvement upon that of “K。S。M。”？
To turn to something humorous — I find the following in the handwriting of the late Rev。 W。 J。 Loftie； headed “SHE” in large letters。
Are you acquainted with the story of the lady who wrote poetry？ She had begun an epic —
“Man was made innocent and good； but he” —
when a visitor called。 She left the paper on the table： the visitor came in； waited a little and departed。 When she returned she found the couplet pleted：
“Man was made innocent and good； but he —
Would doubtless have continued so — but SHE！”
Well； “She” came out and was a great success。 On March 15th Charles Longman wrote to me in Egypt：
I am glad to tell you that “She” keeps on selling capitally。 We have printed 25；000 already； and have ordered another 5000； and I do not think we shall have many left when th