y publishing a laudatory
one of a column length, in which he declared: "Madame Montez went
through the entire measure with marked elegance and precision, and the
curtain fell amid salvoes of well merited applause."

Convinced that here was a critic who really knew his business, and a
friend on whom she could rely to do her justice, Lola wrote to the
editor:

GRAND IMPERIAL HOTEL,

_September, 1855._

SIR,

A criticism of my performance of the "Spider Dance" at the
Theatre Royal was published in this morning's _Argus_,
couched in such language that I must positively answer it.

The piety and ultra-puritanism of the _Argus_ might prevent
the insertion of a letter bearing my signature. Therefore, I
address myself to you.

The "Spider Dance" is a national one, and is witnessed with
delight by all classes in Spain, and by both sexes from
Queen to peasant.

I have always looked upon this dance as a work of high art;
and I reject with positive scorn the insinuation of your
contemporary that I wish to pander to a morbid taste for
what is improper or indelicate.

I shall be at my post to-morrow evening; and will then adopt
a course that will test the value of the opinion advanced by
the _Argus_.

[Illustration: _Lola as a Lecturer. From stage to platform_

AUTOBIOGRAPHY

AND

LECTURES

OF

LOLA MONTEZ

COUNTESS OF LANDSFELD]

The promised "course" was merely to deliver a long speech from the
stage, and ask the audience to decide whether she should give the
vexed item, or not. The audience were emphatic that she should; and,
when she had finished, "expressed their views on the subject by
uttering loud groans for the _Argus_ and lusty cheers for the
_Herald_."

Honours to Lola!

But the "Spider Dance" was still to prove a source of trouble. The
next morning a certain Dr. Milton, who had constituted himself a
champion of morals, appeared at the police-court and applied for a
warrant for the arrest of Lola Montez, on the grounds that she had
"outraged decency."

"I am in a position," he declared, "to produce unquestionable evidence
of the indelicacy of her performance."

"You must take out a summons in the proper fashion," said the
magistrate, who clearly had no sympathy with busybodies.

But, before he could do so, Dr. Milton found himself served with a
writ for libel. As a result, nothing more was heard