Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

Hogg's criticism. 343
he would surely honour, and it would not trouble Sir Walter—
thing concerning which there can be no dispute or objection.
It is with regard to ' The Brownie ' that you require Sir Walter's
assistance.
As to giving you any assistance myself I am very sorry I
cannot, for just now I have fully as much to do as I can well
manage. You know I never in my life before refused you any
money you ever asked from me, and therefore I hope you will
excuse me for once.
I am surprised at your having such a very humble opinion
of the ' Parish Annals,' but I am happy to tell you that it is
very differently estimated by Mr Henry Mackenzie, Sir Walter
Scott, Professor Wilson, Mr Lockhart, and fifty others, who are
all loud in its praises. I am also happy to say that you are
mistaken as to its sale, for in three or four days there were
nearly 500 copies sold in London, and I have already sold here
nearly 400 copies. In short, I have seldom published a more
popular or valuable book.
I do not understand what you allude to when you say I let
men of real genius slip through my fingers. I should be much
obliged to you if you would tell me what you mean.
Mrs B. desires me to say that she thinks you are improvident
in giving the young Christian two names, for you may perhaps,
like us, run out of laddies' names. She begs to be remembered
kindly to Mrs Hogg.
This note, uneasily severe, redeemed by the amus-
ing touch of family kindness at the end, shows the
struggle with very natural resentment which was
going on in Blackwood's breast. In the next his
sentiments are more distinct and precise :
W. Blackwood to James Hogg.
—
June 6, 1821.
Yesterday I received yours of the 2nd. As you say you had
mislaid my letter, I conclude that you have forgotten its con-
tents, else you would not have said that I wrote " snapping at
a