“Perhaps one of those authors whom the public love--Miss Corelli, Mr. Hall Caine, or Mr. ‘Guy Thorne‘--may be preparing a novel with the education controversy as its theme. In that case, one can only hope devoutly that the Bishop of London will _not_ think it advisable to advertise the book from the pulpit. Yet if one could only have heard a frank opinion of _When it was Dark_ expressed by the last Bishop of London--Dr. Creighton--that would indeed have been a joy.” _The Thesaurus_ is a pleasant little magazine devoted to quite innocuous fiction and articles. It has, in the number I quote above, nine pages of advertisements, an article called “In the Engadine,” a “Few hints on church embroidery,” a very happily named story called “In a Dull Moment,” etc, etc. Indeed it could not hurt a fly. I say this much, not because I have any dislike for this nice little periodical, but in order to point out that in answering its editor’s remarks about me, I am not endeavouring to become known to the world, and to advertise myself by the endeavour to link my name to its editor’s. There is a certain sort of hurried and sporadic writing which is not criticism, but is irresponsible nonsense set down to fill a page no less than to gratify a prejudice. It’s all give and take in literary polemics. People are always going for one in the press, and very often with perfect justice. But when one reads remarks like those I have quoted, and remarks written by a Mr. Roget, then, if it amuses one, there is at least a text for a small monition. Miss Marie Corelli is very well able to look after herself. However much Mr. Roget may endeavour to pillory this lady in his “Study Window,” I don’t suppose she cares. She is a great modern force; Mr. Roget isn’t. Mr. Hall Caine will not, I imagine, try to stop being one of the authors “whom the public love” because of the editor of _The Thesaurus_. Nor have I, the humblest person in the trilogy, yet suffered. And, believe me, it is not because I personally care much that I am writing like this, nor is Mr. Roget any armed assassin in a narrow path. But such an one ought to be laughed at a little, because he is typical of a class of young men who should be taught the economy of reserve. Mr. Roget did not explain his reasons for attacking me, though I, quite frankly, give mine for attacking him. But as--through the lamentable chances of war--my remarks will be read by a great many more folk than his were read by, we are quits, and I can start fair, though with all the rigour of the game. The Editor in his paragraph not only states that he himself does not like one of my stories--_i. e., When it was Dark_, but implies that the Bishop of London was not justified in liking it, and saying that he liked it in public. It is quite within Mr. Roget’s right not to like the book--thousands of people didn’t like it. But what are his functions for sneering at it with confidence and weight?