Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

264 WILLIAM BLACKWOOD.
Life and a review of the ' Lament,' which I crammed into my
pocket ; and during my ascent to the top of Cairngorm they
must have fallen out, for on returning to Grantown at night
they were gone and irretrievably lost. This was certainly pro-
voking, especially as it will be out of my power to do anything
till I return to Edinburgh, I found my luggage insupportably
heavy, and therefore packed up all my books, amounting to more
than a dozen heavy volumes, and sent them off to Edinburgh.
I am now able to walk with some comfort, which before was
not the case. I expect to be in Edinburgh by the 4th or 5th
of September. "What it may be in my power to do for your
sixth number shall be done, and if I have three or four days
in Edinburgh I can do something. But tumbled about as I
am now, I have no heart to do anything—especially after
losing the two best articles I had written, and which I can
never rewrite. I will, notwithstanding, try to say a few words
on the 'Lament,' and, if possible, make a leading article of
Coleridge : only you will see how difficult it is for me to promise.
Erere's verses are most facetious and entertaining, but of their
meaning I have no comprehension. I know not whether they
are politically, theologically, or poetically critical : if you have
a key tell me. For your next number get Thomas Gray's Life
by Graham, which is really very good. No doubt Senex will
give you something. My brother James should bestir himself,
so that, with the addition of some little scientific matter from
Brewster or his friends, something odd from Riddell, &c., &c.,
why may not a tolerable number be made out ? I will, if
possible, give you " Coleridge," " Defence of Wordsworth,"
"Account of Marlow's Edward IL," "Lament of Tasso,"
another short review of "Mrs Spence," and "Supposed Contents
of M'Cormick."
I think you are right in going on with a Magazine. With
respect to myself, you know that I am not to be depended
upon. But if you do go on, I shall now and then, when the
spirit compels, lend a hand. You should have in No. 6 an
account of Kemble's leaving the stage, some critique on him,
which J. Ballantyne could do, and Campbell's verses.
With such calm did the young man contemplate the