Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

144 WILLIAM BLACKWOOD.
secure the help, or at least the countenance, of Scott
as the one necessity of salvation. "Get Scott, and
you get everything," he wrote from amid the Westmoreland
hills, whence the two authors of the mischief
watched the explosion from afar ; but he urges caution
as before—and his view altogether of the circum-
stances is more serious than that of his companion.
He adjures his correspondent :
Be extremely cautious in giving even to him names or power
unnecessary. But secure him : 1st, To write a paper in No. 2.
2nd, To speak against the exclusion of your Magazine—should
such an inquisitorial and absurd measure be talked of—in a
Faculty ^ meeting. 3rd, Not to say any ill of you, your Maga-
zine, or virtually of the Chaldee MS. itself. Upon him every-
thing depends, for in any Faculty meeting, where literature is
concerned, who can stand against Maugraby ? Besides, should
it be necessary, the Advocate also must speak, and Wilson will.
Till we hear what Dalyell says, we cannot be easy ; but we
think that if he does anything violent, it will be against his
nature, and only in consequence of the baiting of the adversary,
willing to avenge himself at the expense of the 3rd beast. See
Swift's letter, and Lord Molesworth's story of the Jew of
Madrid :
—
" The boys were afraid they should lose their sport, so
they clapped the poor Jew on the back all the way to the stake,
saying, Sta ferme, Moyse." For myself I have no fear, provided
you procure when necessary, but not till necessary, the avowed
countenance of Scott. Wilson occupies higher ground than I
do, and has less to fear. We are both firm and steadfast. Of
course you will write daily.
p^S^—If you are really publishing or advertising a 2nd edition
of the Oct. number, add this motto : " Kara temporum felicitas
ubi sentire quae velis, ut quae sentias dicere licet." This must
he, and stand. Put this into your very first advertisement at
all events. It is of Wilson's suggestion, and is most excellent.
Mr Blackwood, however, had a more effectual
^ Meaning, we presume, from the Library of the Faculty of Advocates.