On the Canadian shore was a pretty villa where Princess Louise stayed while she painted the scene. Some of the pretty houses were fringed all round the roofs and balconies in the loveliest way, with icicles a yard long, and loaded with snow. They looked most beautiful. On the way back we called at Prospect House, a charming hotel which I hope, if ever I go near Buffalo again, I shall put up at for a day or two, to see the neighborhood well. Two years ago I was lucky enough to witness a most curious sight. The water was frozen under the falls, and a natural bridge, formed by the ice, was being used by venturesome people to cross the Niagara River on. This occurs very seldom. * * * * * I have had a fizzle to-night. I almost expected it. In a hall that could easily have accommodated fifteen hundred people, I lectured to an audience of about three hundred. Fortunately they proved so intelligent, warm, and appreciative that I did not feel at all depressed; but my impresario did. However, he congratulated me on having been able to do justice to the _causerie_, as if I had had a bumper house. I must own that it is much easier to be a tragedian than a light comedian before a $200 house. * * * * * _Cleveland, O., January 15._ The weather is so bad that I shall be unable to see anything of this city, which, people tell me, is very beautiful. On arriving at the Weddell House, I met a New York friend. "Well," said he, "how are you getting on? Where do you come from?" "From Buffalo," said I, pulling a long face. "What is the matter? Don't you like the Buffalo people?" "Yes; I liked those I saw. I should have liked to extend my love to a larger number. I had a fizzle; about three hundred people. Perhaps I drew all the brain of Buffalo." "How many people do you say you had in the hall?" said my friend. "About three hundred." "Then you must have drawn a good many people from Rochester, I should think," said he quite solemnly. In reading the Buffalo newspapers this morning, I noticed favorable criticisms of my lecture; but while my English was praised, so far as the language went, severe comments were passed on my pronunciation. In England, where the English language is spoken with a decent pronunciation, I never once read a condemnation of my pronunciation of the English language. I will not appear again in Buffalo until I feel much improved. * * * * * [Illustration: "GOING TO PITTSBURG, I GUESS."] _En route to Pittsburg, January 16._