I wish to thank you for the very kind notice you gave in your interesting magazine of my first book, and I have requested Messrs. Dick and Fitzgerald, my publishers, to send to your private address a copy of my _Arts of Beauty_. I hope, as a _critique_, it will be found "not wanting" (I do not mean not wanted). Will you give my best and kindest regards to our friend Caxton; and, with the hope of hearing from you before I leave for Europe, which will be in a couple of months, I remain, far or near, your friend, LOLA MONTEZ. Of course, there was a postscript: "The subject of my lectures in Europe will be on America. This should prove attractive." Another letter suggests that an appointment with Leland had not been kept: I should have much liked to have seen you before my departure for Ireland on Tuesday by Pacific, but I cannot control circumstances, you know; and therefore all I ask you until my return next July is a "place in your memory." Maybe, I shall write to you, or, maybe, not. But, whatever is, be sure that _You_ will not be forgotten by Yrs. LOLA MONTEZ. Again the inevitable postscript: "Give my best and kindest regards to _our friend_. Tell him I shall certainly manage to fill his columns with plenty more newspaper lectures." According to himself, Lola looked upon the young American with something more than mere friendship. "Once," he says, in his reminiscences, "she proposed to make a bolt with me to Europe, which I declined. The secret of my influence," he adds smugly, "was that I always treated her with respect, and never made love." III It was at the end of November, 1858, that Lola landed once more in the United Kingdom. She began her campaign there in Dublin, where, twenty-four years earlier, she had lived as a young bride, danced at the Castle, and flirted with the Viceroy's aides-de-camp. During the interval a crowded chapter, and one full of colour and life and movement, had been written. All being in readiness, the public were duly informed of her plans by an advertisement: MADAME LOLA MONTEZ, COUNTESS OF LANDSFELD, will give a Lecture on "America and its People," at the Round Room, Rotundo, on Wednesday evening, December 8. Reserved seats, 3s.; unreserved, 2s. 6d. The debut would appear to have been highly successful. "The announcement of the lecture," said a report the next morning, "created a degree of interest almost unparalleled among the Dublin public. The platform was regularly carried by a throng of admirers, giving Madame Lola Montez barely space to reach her desk. She was listened to with enraptured attention and warm manifestations of approval"; and "very properly, an ill-bred fellow, who exclaimed, 'hee-haw' at regular intervals, was loudly hissed." [Illustration: _"Lectures and Life." From stage to platform_]