Letter from G. Gordon Hake, London, to W. E. Henley, 1889 October 4 : autograph manuscript signed.

Saying "I have read your Hospital outlines at a sitting. They held me. I am very much struck by their strength, humour, tenderness and truth. Nothing could be more direct or more forcibly expressed : in fact they read so solemnly as almost to inspire terror by the very strength of utterance - not a word too much or too little - If all your verses are like these they should certainly see the light - Your handling of verse & expression is very masterly - Indeed these qualities forced themselves on my attention all through - It is useless to attempt criticism. I willingly abandon the task having found salvation."