Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

430 WILLIAM BLACKWOOD.
—
not part without understanding how far any formal engagement
(and if any, what engagement precisely) has been contracted
between us. In the present case I cannot be in any
doubt as to my views on this point, though it seems that you
took a different view of it. Which of us is right I will not
take upon myself to say ; but here is my conscientious belief
about it, up to the moment when I saw Professor Wilson yester-
day. I had always understood that the 10th was the latest day
on which anything could be received with any chance of pub-
lication in the forthcoming number. Under this impression I
took care to be in Edinburgh time enough before that day to
allow of my writing a sheet, and I put myself to some incon-
venience, and an extra expense of 3| guineas in post-chaises,
that I might be in time. Consequently one of my first questions
was : Am I in time with one sheet for this month's Maga-
zine ? meaning if I was in time to sit down there and then, to
call on no soul till it was finished, scarcely to sleep if that
should be necessary. But this question I found it impossible
to resolve, whether through you or through Wilson. "Never
mind about that," you both said ;
" the Magazine is always going
on. It cannot come amiss," and so on. Doubtless, thought I,
the article will be printed some time or other if it is approved
but if I have lost my pains, and needlessly thrown away money
in hastening up now—when a week hence would have been
soon enough (or perhaps even three weeks)—why should I sit
up night and day to produce by a few days earlier what after
all may lie in a drawer for 10 days or a fortnight after it is
sent ? Having failed with yourself, I tried Wilson and Gilhes
upon this point, but neither could assure me if it was even
possible for me to be inserted this month. Eight pages the
former said dubiously might get in perhaps ; he did not exactly
know. " But what signifies that," they said, " if you are paid
immediately?" First, that I should write with more spirit
being sure of an early insertion. Secondly, as to money, it is
clear that I can be allowed to write more in two numbers (that
for this month and that for the next) than for one only. If I
have lost the chance for the forthcoming number, all motive
for instant and increasing exertion and thought is done away.
To this account I have only to add three memoranda :
;