29 SEPTEMBER 1888, Page 14

[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR:1

Sin, I entirely agree with your remarks on " Literary Anodynes." My own article was " written in dejection,' like a poem of Mr. Shelley's, on the first day of the University match, when, as you may remember, play was impossible. I do not recollect what I may have said, and I never saw the essay in print ; indeed, I requested the editor to insert it in the waste-paper basket. But if I said anything which seemed to imply that Mr. Thackeray's novels are not to my mind the best of novels (better even than " Madame Midas "), the atmospheric depression and a sincere repentance must plead my excuse.—I am, Sir, &c., Senbank, _Dairy, Galloway, September 24th. A. LANG.