Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

262 WILLIAM BLACKWOOD.
on the other. The first I find was written in the dark
days of Pringle and Cleghorn, before the real ' Maga
had begun. It is addressed to Wilson at a Highland
address, while he was absent on one of his many
sporting expeditions, and is dated
W. Blackwood to J. Wilson.
—
Edinburgh, 2nd Atigust 1817.
Allow me to offer you my warmest thanks and congratula-
tions for your most interesting packet. I got it safe by this
day's coach. Mr and Mrs Eobert [Wilson ?] called just as I
opened it. They are equally with me in raptures with your
articles and the beautiful little poems. How striking you have
made the Highland Glen ! and what a delightful and new turn
you give to the hackneyed wish which all express on being
pleased with a particular spot ! The
widowed mother is most
affecting ; but what delights me most in your poetry is the heart-
felt glow of religious and moral feeling with which you enrich
it. The Sonnet is uncommonly good, but does not affect me
like the other two. I hope you will pardon me for indulging
so much idtra crepidam.
I have only had time to read the two Reviews very hurriedly.
They are capital, and, so far as I can judge from a hasty glance,
to the full as interesting as your former ones. I can give them
no higher praise. I hope you have by this time received the
letter I wrote on Saturday last, and the parcel which I forwarded
to you by same post, addressed to you at Captain Harden's.
The parcel contained Lord Byron's ' Lament of Tasso ' ; Frere's
' Prospectus,' &c. ; Coleridge's ' Leaves ' and his ' Biographia
Literaria.'
After what I have now received from you, you must think me
a very importunate person to be asking more. I hope, however,
you will have occasional moments of leisure which you will
gratify all your friends by filling up as you have done already.
To speak more selfishly, as it may be considered, it will be of
the last importance to me that you go on to assist me, as with-
out your help I do not expect to make No. 6 good for anything.
'