Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

DETERMINED TO STAND FAST. I7l
to the future. Both parties, indeed, console the
other under the offence, which both resent hotly
for themselves. " Of course it cannot trouble you
for more than a single moment," say the young
men.
But [adds Mr Murray, with a valorous impulse], being in, I
am determined to go through with you ; and, if our friends will
only act with redoubled discretion, we may get the better of
this check and yet gain a victory. They should by a masterly
effort pluck the thing out of their minds. The only course to
be taken now, is to redouble every effort for the improvement
of the Magazine. Let us take public estimation by assault : by
the irresistible effect of talent employed on subjects that are
interesting : and, above all, I say to collect information on
passing events. Our editors are totally mistaken in thinking
that this consists in laborious essays. These are very good as
accessories, but the flesh and blood and bones is information.
That will make the public eager to get us at the end of every
month.
It is a curious instance of the injustice which is
never more apparent than in the sweep of popular
opinion, that the "laborious essays," of which Mr
Murray was so contemptuous, included among others
the fine criticisms and noble defence by which, more
than anything else except his own merits, the fame
of Wordsworth was secured. Jeffrey has been twitted
to the most tedious extent with his " This will never
do " ; but Wilson has got but little credit for the first
worthy appreciation of the Poet of the mountains.
It is a little difficult to know what was the " infor-
mation" for which the public was supposed to be so
eager. Fortunately in this respect it was the men
of letters who were in the right, and not the anxious
man of business, who probably knew his own affairs