Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

158 WILLIAM BLACKWOOD.
the sarcasms at present going against us both, "We have as yet
heard only far-off hints.
This cursed row has so unhinged us both that we have done
nothing. I think, however, you may depend on a eulogy of
Chalmers and the Office of Constable from me. Should any
want of materials occur, I will retouch an essay (by me) on the
Eeligious Orders of Knighthood, originally designed for your
vile Encyclopaedia. But what fear have you when once the
mighty creatures are within your gates, and I daresay Hogg
has been doing something. Wilson will, I hope, write some
accounts of an awful scene we witnessed to-day, the execution
of three men : keep him to that idea. To-morrow I trust we
shall have some minutes of conversation with Cranstoun or
Moncrieff. If N. does not take care I will introduce him as
the High Constable's fool at some tournament. Dalyell must
be the dwarf. Do not allow a day to pass without writing, and
to me, for the Leopard's goings forth are irregular as well as
comely. If he stays here much longer the whole family will be
as much in love with him as you and I.
Tony Smith hints, I suspect from authority, something about
a d d attack on you (and probably some besides you) in
next number of ' Maggie Eeekie.' Make use of some means to
ascertain the real intentions of the 3rd beast.
This letter is signed " The Scorpion"; the fumes of
the explosion to which they had set light being evidently
still in all their senses. ' Maggie Reekie ' was
the magazine of Constable.
The war went on, however, with intervals for a
long time, raging about the devoted head of the only
responsible person in the matter. Pamphlets were
written, actions brought, abuse of all descriptions
poured upon Mr Blackwood. No doubt many arrows
were also sent in the dark against the unseen con-
tributors ; but they kept silent, except occasionally
by a new sting in the Magazine, which redoubled the
fury of their enemies and wore out the patience of