Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

THE UNSUCCESSFUL EDITORS. 105
pletely interfered with my other business. I therefore entered
into a negotiation with Mr Pringle, the editor, whom I wished
to retain, both on account of personal friendship, and that I
expected he would soon become much more useful when he had
more experience, and when the editorial duty devolved upon
himself alone. I had every reason to expect we should have
made a comforable arrangement by which we should have
secured a certain number of regular contributors, whom we
would have paid at once. With this view I gave a notice,
according to our agreement, that the work would close at the
period specified in it—three months. Instead, however, of
Pringle acting in the friendly way he had professed, he joined
Cleghorn, and, without giving any explanation, they concluded
a bargain with Constable & Co., by which I understand they
take charge of their [Constable's] ' Scots Magazine ' as soon as
mine stops.
It is not of the least consequence to me losing them, as they
were quite unfit for what they undertook. But it is most
vexatious stopping the Magazine, which was doing so well.
By our agreement neither party can continue it under the
same title. I have, however, made an arrangement with a
gentleman of first-rate talents by which I will begin a new
work of a far superior kind. I mention this to you, however,
in the strictest confidence, as I am not at liberty yet to say
anything more particularly about it. It will be announced
in good time, and I have no fears as to its making us ample
amends for our present disappointment. I shall take good
care to have the two numbers we are yet to publish equal, if
not superior, to the preceding ones, and you will continue your
exertions the same as ever. My editors have very dishonestly
made it known to a number of people that we stop at the 6th
number. This will interfere a little with our sale here, but I
hope not with you.
This rapid decision was not accepted, it Is scarcely
necessary to say, without a struggle, and a long corre-
spondence arose on the matter, wordy and on both
sides a little tedious to the distant spectator, but full