Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

458 WILLIAM BLACKWOOD.
Story. I mean such as rouping ^ out of a family and other
things connected with it, by which the d^noiiement is to be
brought about. Tell me, however, frankly how you like these.
I am in expectation that the story will be at least as graphic
as anything I have ever done.
Having thus wrought himself up into some satis-
faction with his work, Gait goes on to analyse it
with more complacency than he usually displays.
"I know not how the work may turn out," he
says; "but if success be taking pains, it has cost
me more than anything I have yet written. The
style, however, will be quainter and richer both in
allusions and imagery."
I am not quite sure about your objections to the dead Laird,
though the picture will bear retouching and some amplification.
It is impossible to delineate a character in which there might to
be coarseness as well as want of feeling without showing in-
stances of both. If there is any merit in any of my sketches,
it is in the truth of the metaphysical anatomy of the characters,
which though at first felt as faults in the author and thought
coarse, I have seen have in the end been seen in their true
light.
Unfortunately, however, Mr Blackwood did not
like much the results of this remoulding, and Gait
for once rises indignant in defence of the child of
his imagination. It is almost the only point in the
correspondence at which he shows the defensive atti-
tude which we have hitherto found so common :
—
23rd August 1826.
You will excuse me for remarking that I have been somewhat
surprised at your letter. I know that it hath proceeded
from your anxiety and friendship. The plan of the Laird was
Selling off by auction.