25 DECEMBER 1886, Page 13

THE SILENCE OF DEAN MAITLAND.

[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.]

Sin,—I know neither "Dean Maitland" nor "Judith Wynne," nor their respective authors ; but I do know that in" The Scarlet Letter," which was written at least twenty years ago, a clergy- man denounces himself from the pulpit. If Mr. Hawthorne introduced this incident, why should not Mr. Pirkis ? And if Mr. Pirkis, why should not the author of "The Silence of [" The Scarlet Letter" was published thirty-six years ago; in 1850.—ED. 'Spectator.]