Ir seems to me that some explanation is needed of
why these few chapters about London are now re-
published. My dear husband intended his magnum
opus to be an account of London in its various and
contradictory aspects. Such a work was much dis-
cussed between us, and the publication of it was
even arranged with our good friend Mr Blackwood.
As usual Mr Harmsworth forwarded this, as he did
every other scheme likely to benefit George Steevens'
career; and the chapters as they appear in this
volume appeared in the Daily Mail.' We were
much pressed to publish the letters on Paris and
Germany, and when it was decided so to do, I
thought it well to add those concerning the city he
loved so well and knew so thoroughly.
That they
are mere suggestions of what he intended will be
obvious to all who knew him.