A copy of Vistas and one of Pharais were sent to George Meredith, who wrote in acknowledgment to the author:
Box Hill, July 5, 1894.
Dear Mr. Sharp,
‘Vistas’ gave me pleasure, and a high lift at times. There is the breath in it. Only beware of a hurried habit of mind that comes of addiction to Impressionist effects. They engender that mood in readers ultimately.
‘Pharais’ is in many respects most admirable—pure Celtic salt. I should have written to thank the writer before this: but I am at work up to an hour of the dinner bell day by day at the finish of this novel—and not too happy about it.
Will you beg Miss Macleod’s excuse of me for the moment? Her book is one to fly sure to the mark. I hope you will come to me in September, when I shall be back there.
Give my warm respects to your wife.
Ever faithfully yours,
George Meredith.
The following letter to Mr. Grant Allen is one of the earliest that were signed with the pseudonym: