Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

326 WILLIAM BLACKWOOD.
on the subject of "The Tent"; though not a communication,
it might be called a letter of localities, which he might have
availed himself of. To my great regret that letter was lost.
But really I had been so much mortified by the refusal of all
my pieces that I cannot bear to think of writing for the Maga-
zine now. And though I always praise it above all other
periodical works, and wish it with all my heart every success,
yet would I rather sit down and write for the shabbiest work
in the kingdom, where everything I write is received. Indeed,
I have always felt that to whatever I gave my desired adhesion,
I might have disgraced myself, but my name now
should not be a disgrace to any literary work.
I think that all my friends, without exception, think that the
editors have dealt cavalierly with me in "The Tent" verses,
and that their versification is meant to injure my literary
character throughout. I have judged as impartially of the
thing as I can, and I do not see it. I think it is excellent sport,
and very good-natured sport besides. I might pretend to be
angry—I could easily do that—but the truth is I am not. I do
not see that the contrast between such an ignorant, blundering,
good-natured fellow and his poetry can have anything but a
good effect. I only wish the quiz on my worthy friend Dr
Eussell had been left out, as I am universally blamed for it
here, and it is likely to cherish a good deal of ill-will among
friends that were formerly so happy together.
The Shepherd did not always continue so good-
natured. He complains somewhere, and one must feel
with very good reason, of having ballads and verses of
all kinds which he had never seen put into his mouth ;
and this indeed was hard, even if the verses—as
possibly was the case — were better than his own.
One little criticism creeps in even into the above
good-natured letter : " With all their cleverness and
carelessness of composition (which has generally, I
think, a good grace), I cannot help feeling that the
two last numbers are too egoistical, which never has a