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fearless. . . . He ennobled his subject and 

 gathered the sympathies, as he awakened the 

 interest, of every thinker who heard his address." x 



During the autumn he lectured at Toynbee 

 Hall and the City of London College, and spoke 

 for friends during the General Election at several 

 places. 



He was himself re-elected on November 24 

 without opposition. 



He devoted much thought during the autumn 

 to the preparation of the famous list of " best 

 100 books," which he first published as a lecture 

 to the Working Men's College in Great Ormond 

 Street, and afterwards incorporated in the 

 Pleasures of Life. He consulted many friends 

 on the subject, generally by word of mouth, but 

 in some cases by letter. 



The following is the reply of Mr. John Bright : 



One Ash, Rochdale, 

 Nov. 3rd, 1885. 



Dear Sir John Lubbock — Your list of books rather 

 surprises me. They are far too " far back " and too 

 learned for me. 



I read a good deal, but am not a learned reader. 

 Lately I have been reading Jowett's Plato — and most of 

 it seems to me a dreadful puzzle. 



You will be shocked at these remarks but will forgive 

 them. 



I have recently been interested in bringing out a new 

 edition of Dymond's Essays on the Principles of Morality. 

 It is published by Routledge & Co. and is not costly — 

 not more than 5s. for the volume. If you can add this 

 to your list I shall be glad. 



I will not undertake to suggest anything more. You 

 will admit my modesty if not my wisdom. — Always 

 sincerely yours, John Bright. 



1 Birmingham Gazette, October 2, 1885. 



