i8S2 LETTERS FROM CRANKS 



47 



new system of Political Economy to the world. I have 

 questioned, perhaps with success, the validity of some of 

 the fundamental doctrines of H. Spencer's synthetic philos- 

 ophy," and so on. 



Another remarkable communication is a reply-paid tele- 

 gram from the States, in 1892, which ran as follows : — 



Unless all reason and all nature have deceived me, I have 

 found the truth. It is my intention to cross the ocean to consult 

 with those who have helped me most to find it. Shall I be 

 welcome? Please answer at my expense, and God grant we all 

 meet in life on earth. 



Another, of British origin this time, was from a man 

 who had to read a paper before a local Literary Society on 

 the momentous question, " Where are we ? "' so he sent 

 round a circular to various authorities to reinforce his own 

 opinions on the six heads into which he proposed to divide 

 his discourse, viz. : 



Where are we in Space ? 

 Science? 

 Politics ? 

 Commerce ? 

 Sociology ? 

 Theology ? 



The writer received an answer, and a mild one : 



Any adequate reply to your inquiry would be of the nature 

 of a treatise, and that, I regret, I cannot undertake to write. 



Two letters of this year touch on Irish affairs, in which 

 he was always interested, having withal a certain first-hand 

 knowledge of the people and the country they lived in, from 

 his visits there, both as a Fishery Commissioner and on 

 other occasions. He writes warmly to the historian who 

 treated of Ireland without prejudice or rancour. 



4 Marlborough Place, April 16, 1882. 



My dear Lecky — Accept my best thanks for your two vol- 

 umes, which I found on my return from Scotland yesterday. 



I can give no better evidence of my appreciation of their 

 contents than by the confession that they have caused me to 



