TRUE MANLINESS FROM THE WRITINGS OF THOMAS HUGHES.

[Preliminary Note.—Having somewhat rashly consentedto write a short biographical preface to a volume ofselections to be made in America from the writings of myfriend, Mr. Hughes, I applied to him directly for the needfulfacts and dates. His answer was an autobiographical letterwhich I found so interesting that I resolved to print it, omittingonly a few intimate allusions natural in such a communication,but with which the public has nothing to do. Mytemptation was the greater that the letter was not intendedfor publication, and had, therefore, that charm of unpremeditatedconfidence which is so apt to be wanting in more deliberateautobiographies. I cannot consult him, (and I confessthat I purposely waited till I could not) for he is already atsea, on his way to America, and I fear that friendship mayhave tempted me to an unwarrantable liberty, but I could notbring myself, even at the risk of seeming indiscreet, to denyto others what had given me so much pleasure. At any rate,the indiscretion is wholly my own and in direct violation ofthe injunction with which Mr. Hughes’ letter concludes: “Ihate the idea of being presented in any guise to any public;so if you can’t squelch the plan altogether, give only the driestand meagrest facts and dates.” I feel somewhat as if Ihad been reporting a private conversation, and take uponmyself in advance all the reproach that belongs of right tothat scourge and desecrator of modern life, the “Interviewer.”For the first time, I look forward with dread to my next meetingwith an old friend, after having thus practised the familiar[vi]stage device of putting the right letter into the wrongcover. As the brief record of a well-spent and honorablelife, devoted to unselfish ends and associated with notablefriendships, Mr. Hughes’ letter has a higher than merely personalinterest. Of any critical introduction to Americanreaders no one could stand in less need than he. The samequalities of manliness, frankness, simplicity and sympathy,with whatever is generous and humane, that gave and continueto “Tom Brown” a success that may be compared withthat of “Robinson Crusoe,” are not wanting in his otherworks.—J. R. L.]