NOTES ON A CELLAR-BOOK.
[To THE EDITOR OP THE " SPECTATOR."1
believe the severest precisions of literary etiquette hold that an author should never take any notice (in the way of reply) of reviews, whether laudatory or the reverse; and I do not think I have been very prodigal of such notice during my rather long literary life. But perhaps you will let me exculpate myself in respect of one paragraph of your very obliging remarks on my little book. I can say, without the slightest hypocrisy or "hedging," that my strictures on the " duplicity " of those who protested and protest against drinking during and.after the war had no reference whatever to your own attitude or to anything like it. Indeed, this very review proves my ease; for, so far from deprecating the Use of wine now, you explicitly allow it. You, Sir, thought (whether rightly or wrongly it -would be irrelevant and im- pertinent now to discuss) that drinking was an obstacle to carrying -on the war. The other—very much other—people thought that the war was a convenient colour and stalking- horse for carrying on their campaign against drink. It was to such folk, and not to you, that I referred. With many thanks for your appreciation, and for the- capital lines which conclude it, I remain, Sir, your obedient servant,
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