Of the Reminiscences Froude wrote to Skelton, "To me in no one of his writings does he appear in a more beautiful aspect; and so, I am still convinced, will all mankind eventually think." His own frame of mind at this period is vividly expressed in a letter to Max Muller, dated the 8th of December, 1881.

After some references to Goethe's letters, and German copyright, he continues: "So much ill will has been shown me in the case of other letters that I walk as if on hot ashes, and often curse the day when I undertook the business.

I had intended, when I finished my English history, to set myself quietly down to Charles the Fifth, and spend the rest of my life on him.

I might have been half through by this time, and the world all in good humour with me.

My ill star was uppermost when I laid this aside.