i8S2 LETTER TO SKELTON 5! 



4 MARLBOROUGH PLACE, N.W., Dec. 31, 1882. 



MY DEAR SKELTON If I may not thank you for the book you 

 have been kind enough to send me, I may at anyrate wish you 

 and Mrs. Skelton a happy New Year and many on 'em. 



I am going to read your vindication of Mary Stuart as soon 

 as I can. Hitherto I am sorry to say I have classed her with 



Eve, Helen, Cleopatra, Delilah, and sundry other glorious s 



who have lured men to their destruction. 



But I am open to conviction, and ready to believe that she 

 blew up her husband only a little more thoroughly than other 

 women do, by reason of her keener perception of logic. Ever 



yours very faithfully, 



1. H. 



