Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

302 WILLIAM BLACKWOOD.
good: and if so and not long, I would perhaps clip off the
beginning and insert it. He must submit, as I and others are
willing to do occasionally, to reason, and your and the Maga-
zine's interests. As soon as I get the whole of the ' Noctes ' I
will finish it off. I have got all except what was sent last night
and this morning. I think it will be good, but it must be
interspersed with touches here and there. It will be thirty-two
pages.
The following is interesting, as bearing upon the
vexed question, so often discussed since, of the editor-
ship. Wilson gives no uncertain sound on this
subject ; and the faint grudge as to the profit of the
post, which Blackwood did not choose to depute to
any one, gives point to the disclaimer. It was an
opportunity of giving the publisher a friendly prick
in passing.
John Wilson to W. Blackwood.
Last night I received a letter from Dr Philpotts, of the
kindest nature, but saying that he had been told yesterday that
I was the editor of " that invaluable Magazine." I must
answer his letter this evening, and in alluding to that part
of it do not wish to say anything that may seem to contradict
anything in your letter to him if you have written to him, and
if from any expression in your letter he uses that expression
to me.
I am not editor of that invaluable Magazine either in
responsibility or in annual income, which ought to be to the
editor—namely, Mr Blackwood—at the rate of other periodi-
cals, from £500 to £1500 per annum. But I am always most
willing to assist and give my advice to the said editor, and to
write articles, and good ones occasionally when I can, at the
rate of sixteen guineas per sheet— good payment to a first-rate
contributor. I am always ready, too, to avow publicly or
privately my connection with ' Maga,' or to say to Dr Philpotts
or any other man that I am in your confidence and you in