book so long after the first, against its ap-
parent variance with the political facts. In
other respects it seems best not to revise it.
The book is distinctly a youthful book, for
good as well as for ill. I might mend it;
but I am afraid I should mar it if I meddled
with it. I know its faults as I know the
sins of my youth; I am sorry for them, and
I hope to be forgiven what it seems too late
to undo. But if any one shall say they do
not exist, I shall rejoice in his generosity,
and I shall not be the first to question his
judgment.

W. D. HOWELLS.

September, 1891.

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