ur
greatest facts of modern times--steamboats, railroads, telegraphs, and the
American Republic."

This somewhat novel definition of "the four greatest facts of modern
times" was received with rapture by its hearers.

Despite certain jeers from some of the reviewers, the lectures
continued to attract the public. The novelty of Lola Montez at the
rostrum drew large audiences everywhere; and she had no difficulty in
arranging a long tour. Feeling, when it came to an end, that a similar
measure of success might be secured on the other side of the Atlantic,
she resolved to visit England.

Just before leaving America for this purpose, she wrote to a one-time
Munich acquaintance, who was then editing a New York magazine:

YORKVILLE,

_August 20, 1858._

MY DEAR MR. LELAND,

I wish to thank you for the very kind notice you gave in
your interesting magazine of my first book, and I have
requested Messrs. Dick and Fitzgerald, my publishers, to
send to your private address a copy of my _Arts of Beauty_.
I hope, as a _critique_, it will be found "not wanting" (I
do not mean not wanted).

Will you give my best and kindest regards to our friend
Caxton; and, with the hope of hearing from you before I
leave for Europe, which will be in a couple of months, I
remain, far or near, your friend,

LOLA MONTEZ.

Of course, there was a postscript:

"The subject of my lectures in Europe will be on America.
This should prove attractive."

Another letter suggests that an appointment with Leland had not been
kept:

I should have much liked to have seen you before my
departure for Ireland on Tuesday by Pacific, but I cannot
control circumstances, you know; and therefore all I ask you
until my return next July is a "place in your memory."
Maybe, I shall write to you, or, maybe, not. But, whatever
is, be sure that _You_ will not be forgotten by Yrs.

LOLA MONTEZ.

Again the inevitable postscript:

"Give my best and kindest regards to _our friend_. Tell him I
shall certainly manage to fill his columns with plenty more
newspaper lectures."

According to himself, Lola looked upon the young American with
something more than mere friendship. "Once," he says, in his
reminiscences, "she proposed to make a bolt with me to Europe, which I
declined. The secret of my influence," he adds smugly, "was that I
alw