Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

298 WILLIAM BLACKWOOD.
Innerleithen, where he and his family had been for the last four
weeks. While in our house he began and finished the conclud-
ing article in this No. of 'Maga,' the review of Moore's
* Epicurean.' He had disappointed me sadly in not sending me
articles he had promised, and I had also been disappointed by
Mr Eobinson, so that I was in a most miserable state with re-
gard to this number till the Prof, came to town. I had a
terrible hurry and skurry to get ready in time. The whole
number was printed and published in eight or ten days.
Our next view of the Professor is after some im-
portant correspondence as to ways and means, in the
shape of a triumphantly reformed character, anticipating
nothing in the future but duty and glory, perfect trust
and co-operation, and boundless and successful work :
I am extremely glad that I explained myself at some length
in my letter, because it has been the cause of your most friendly
and flattering letter. I am extremely glad that I alluded to a
belief in my mind that you had often overpaid me a guinea
page. If I know anything of myself, it is that I am not too
money-fond. Better for me it had been, if long ago I had been
more so. But your answer has prevented the possibility of my
fearing that you could ever think so. My contributions to
' Maga ' shall be regular and vigorous. I see, as you say, that
I may make 600 guineas a-year, and I will do so. You shall
always, if I am in health at all, have as Tivuch of mine as you wish
—and never a single page more. With fourteen numbers in the
year perhaps I may earn considerably more than 600 !
—
but not
one line of mine shall ever go into 'Maga' that you do not
prefer for her interests to any other contributor. Mutual bene-
fit is the spirit of our understanding.
Meanwhile think of things to be done during the winter. I
have thought of a good many—and if a bad number appears
during the next year, Deo volente, 1 shall wonder at my own
imbecility.
I send a ' Noctes ' and a [name illegible]. Both seem very
long; but let both be put up immediately. The first I can