Autograph letter signed : [London], to William Wetmore Story, 1886 June 19.

Telling Story that he has received the packet of manuscripts (apparently copies of correspondence connected to Lady Louisa Ashburton); writing that they have clarified certain aspects of his interactions with Lady Asburton: "And even with respect to the calumnies which Lady A. exploded in all the madness of her wounded vanity -- I was not aware at that time of what I have had abundant knowledge of since -- how thoroughly her character as a calumniator was understood by those most intimately connected with her -- and how little credit would be given to assertions of this sort in my case"; discussing how the hostility between them affected his friendships; adding that he expects she will attack him posthumously, and so, as Story advises, he will keep the original letters, "giving such directions for their ultimate disposal as you very properly suggest, and indeed as I had always intended"; thanking William and Emelyn Story for their friendship and support in the course of this "odious experience"; writing that his sister Sarianna had been planning to go to Paris to see their friend Joseph Milsand, but that she suffered a sudden "inflammatory attack" and had to delay her departure; discussing the negotiations for the purchase of Palazzo Manzoni in Venice from the Montecuccoli family, and the complications that have ensued; promising to pass along a message from Story to James Russell Lowell the following week in Oxford, where "[Benjamin] Jowett's vice chancellorship ends in a festive bouquet of fireworks at Commemoration -- wherein a Degree will be conferred on Dr [Oliver Wendell] Holmes -- whom I have seen much of lately"; mentioning that Katherine Bronson and her daughter Edith (later Contessa Rucellai) are "here enjoying themselves and greatly adding to our enjoyment"; commenting on the "strange toil of politics in which we are engaged just now"; adding "I met Gladstone at dinner the day after his defeat -- and never saw him in higher spirits. I am dead against him, however."