Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

THE ANNALS OF THE PRESS. 519
next number is anxiously looked for. It is said that under
Coleridge's management (four numbers) the sale has fallen off
four thousand. It is uphill work for Lockhart to retrieve this.
A long letter of two years later plunges us still
further into the record of new newspapers and the
somewhat noisy annals of the Press :
—
January 1828.
Mr Buckingham has started another weekly review, called
the 'Athenseum/ published every Wednesday. Two numbers
have appeared—the first dull beyond description, the second
somewhat better, but the whole appearance promises only a
lumbering concern. Colburn has taken a half-share in the
'Athenseum,' but nevertheless I question if it will answer.
Two attacks have appeared in it on Lockhart by your friend
Forbes, and an inquiry is promised into his qualifications as
editor of the ' Quarterly.'
Hunt's memoirs of Byron appear written in his worst style,
and, moreover, in all the bitterness of a disappointed man.
Judging from the extracts which have appeared in the peri-
odicals in Colburn's interest — viz., the 'New Monthly' and
'Athenaeum,' for the book is not yet published — it contains
little new or interesting to the public. I think it calls for an
article of Christopher North, which will demolish at one blow
such a mass of impertinence, frivolity, and breach of that
common faith which holds society together. Moore has spit
forth some bitter epigrammatic verses on ' Leviticus ' ; but a
smashing heavy hand is really wanted to deal with a work of
such pretensions.
If I had the time and the means within my reach I would
like to do an article for you on Colburn's puffery ; but I throw
out the hint, as you may perhaps get it better done elsewhere.
The idea would be, stating C, N.'s happiness at no longer having
the trouble of reading new books for the purpose of criticising
them : that two very respectable and talented gentlemen had
been for some time past retained by the best publisher of the
day to review all his important publications, and to acquaint
the public with their opinion thereon before the appearance of