Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

THE ATLAS OF THE MAGAZINE. 427
T. Be Quincey to W. Blackwood.
Noon, Monday.
As you did not send me word whither and how late I might
send on Saturday night, the MS. lay here all yesterday. For
on Sunday I know not where my man's abode is. This morn-
ing I have only just got up; from what I said on Saturday
night I concluded you would send for it, but as you have not,
here it is—as soon as I have seen the light.
If Wilson and Lockhart do not put themselves forward for
the Magazine, I foresee that the entire weight of supporting it
must rest on my shoulders. I see clearly that I must be its
Atlas. For excepting our friend Gillies's translation (from a
cursed dull thing though), and excepting that spirited political
article at the end, a more dreary collection of dulness and
royal stupidity never did this world see gathered together than
the December number exhibits. Positively it would sink any
work in the world. No, no ! I see clearly that I must write it
all myself—except one sheet, which I will leave to Grillies, and
a few pp. to the other man.
And this horrible dulness, which is enough to inflict apoplexy,
happens to coincide with these infernal articles from
' London. And to these it seems we are to knock under
What a craven the fellow must be who advised such a piece
of devilish cowardice. Whoever he be, I hope to God he will
soon meet with a halter—even if it were my dear friend Pro-
fessor Wilson.
I am hard at work, being determined to save the Magazine
from the fate which its stupidity merits.
To this there came a swift and sharp reply.
Blackwood was touched in his tenderest point, and
as ready as ever to cut down any blasphemer :
W. Blackwood to T. De Quincey.
—
8 January 1821.
I can only excuse your letter, which I received to-day, by
supposing that you were hardly awake when you wrote it.
When I apply to you to be the Atlas of my Magazine it will
!