Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

324 WILLIAM BLACKWOOD.
horn, Hogg was one of those to whom he appealed
for help and sympathy, though, in the light of after-
events, he seems an unlikely adviser. But at that
period the Shepherd — the author of ' The Queen's
Wake,' who had not yet committed himself to any
of the futilities of his after-life, but was considered
to have a fine career before him—had perhaps more
weight than at any after-period. The freedom and
boldness of his opinions are amusing : he had at least
no doubt in his own mind as to his qualifications as a
literary adviser :
—
Altrive Lake, August 12, 1817.
My hay-harvest is but just commenced, and is this year large
in proportion to the hands I have to work it. Next month the
Highland cattle come, so that I cannot get to Edinburgh at
present without incurring a loss, for which my literary labours,
if they are as usual, would but ill remunerate me. I am greatly
concerned about your Magazine ; but I have some dependence
on your spirit not to let it drop or relax till your literary
friends gather again about you. Wilson's papers, though not
perfect, have a masterly cast about them : a little custom would
make him the best periodical writer of the age,—keep hold of
him. I regret much that you have told me so little of your
plan: if the name is to change, who is to be the editor, &c.
For myself, I am doing nothing save working at hay, fishing,
&c. Save two or three Hebrew Melodies, I have not written a
line since I left Edinburgh. I cannot leave the country just
now. Crafty always affirms that, of all classes ever he had to
do with, the literary men are the worst and most ungrateful. I
am very sorry to see this so often verified.
The next, which gives a lively picture of his own
wellbeing, must have been written not very long after,
though it is without date :
—
I take the half of my last sheet of paper to write you a few
lines, and implore of you not to insist on my coming to town