12 FEBRUARY 1881, Page 14

"JEANS' LIFE AND LETTERS OF CICERO.' "

[To TELE EDITOR OF THE .4 SrECTATOH.1 SIR,—Having had the good-fortune to obtain your approval of my translation, my introductions, and my critical notes, I ought not, perhaps, to be dissatisfied if you are more indignant than I can quite understand at my innocently-meant title, and see- pompous misleading in the very lettering itself. Nor would I trouble you now with an author's reply, but for the fact that your criticism was written under an entire misapprehension.. Yen speak of " a score or two of dates " being called the " Life of Cicero," obviously referring to the summary of dates at the. end. But the life of Cicero is really told in the introductions to the different letters, which I have taken immense pains to work into a continuous narrative. Now, as these occupy, perhaps, a sixth part of , the book, and took quite half the labour, I naturally mentioned them in the title ; and certainly I never- dreamt that this would give offence, any more than the reel binding, for which, indeed, I am not responsible, but which? seemed to my inexperienced eyes to be handsome and tasteful.. A red rag, however, has always been proverbial for provoking: attacks on the unsuspecting wearer.—I am, Sir, &c.,

Haileybwry College, Hertford, February 8th. G, E. JEANS. Haileybwry College, Hertford, February 8th. G, E. JEANS.