FL4651357

12th August 1896

Cotmandene
South Yarra
Melbourne

My dear Mrs Onslow

Your kind letter has been
long unanswered although I have
had it in my pocket ever since it
came. But I have had many
English letters to write and my
rheumatic gout, with the help of
old age cripples the once prompt
movements of my pen. I am
charmed to find that you seriously
think that Mr Phelps' encomium on
my History "well-deserved". I had
always a presentment that if it
should survive to be read hereafter
it would maintain its position as
the standard authority, but I did
not venture to hope that in my
own lifetime I should have a