Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

o'doherty's genius. 413
and to common-sense if I did not regard it as a compliment,
and that of no ordinary kind, for, not to mention the names
with which my own stands iu juxtaposition, it would be strange
if a man of O'Doherty's undoubted genius should have em-
ployed so much wit, humour, and general power of mind on a
work wholly without worth or character. Let only no poison
of personal moral calumny be inserted, and a good laugh is a
good thing ; and I should be sorry, by making a wry face, to
transfer it from my Lady Christabel to myself. From an able
vindication of pernicious principles, I should receive severe pain,
did I not persuade myself that your Magazine is open to every
fair, liberal, and manly answer. Anything is better than sup-
pression or confuting a man's work by trying to ruin his
fortunes. Besides, it is but too true that the ordinary and
popular arguments in support of our Faith, both moral and
theological, have more show than stuff. I never take up a
work entitled Evidences or the like, but I feel half a mind to
write a book to be called Eeligion defended against its defenders.
I can only say for myself, Let but the poison be stuff of the
mind, not the impudence of Ignorance nor incentives of Passion,
and I dare rely on the Antidote, and shall never consider a
bold permission of the liberty of the Press an objection to any
work which admits both sides, when both are guarded by talent
and decency, and neither if without them.
The following seems to refer to a book to be pub-
lished by Blackwood, but the undertaking was appar-
ently never completed :
—
41 Sloane Street, Feh. 24, 1826.
Your letter has rather alarmed me by mentioning that you
had not received my packet or letter by Cadell's parcel of
February 8th. I sent one with a note. Certainly the quantity
that was sent was small, not much more than a chapter, but
still the loss would be serious. You promised me to go to press
as soon as the 2nd volume was in your hands. It is and has
been with you. I will send more by the 30th, and the work
will be concluded undoubtedly by the 15th or 16th of March.
Therefore I entreat you not to delay ;
put it to press anywhere.