TO J. W. CROKER, ESQ., ADMIRALTY.
My Dear Croker,—... I had the fate of Cassandra in the Beacon matter from beginning to end. I endeavored in vain to impress on them the necessity of having an editor who was really up to the business, and could mix spirit with discretion—one of those "gentlemen of the press," who understand the exact lengths to which they can go in their vocation. Then I wished them, in place of that Bond, to have each thrown down his hundred pounds, and never inquired more about it—and lastly, I exclaimed against the Crown Counsel being at all concerned. In the two first remonstrances I was not listened to—in the last I thought myself successful, and it was not till long afterwards that I heard they had actually subscribed the Bond. Then the hasty renunciation of the thing, as if we had been doing something very atrocious, put me mad altogether. The younger brethren, too, allege that they are put into the front of the fight, and deserted on the first pinch; and on my word I cannot say the accusation is altogether false, though I have been doing my best to mediate betwixt the parties, and keep the peace if possible. The fact is, it is a blasted business, and will continue long to have bad consequences.—Yours in all love and kindness,
Walter Scott.
Footnotes
[1]: Article on General Gourgaud's Memoirs in Blackwood's Magazine for November, 1818.
[2]: Article on Maturin's Women, or Pour et Contre. (Miscellaneous Prose Works, vol. xviii.)
[3]: Article on Childe Harold, Canto IV. (Miscellaneous Prose Works, vol. xvii.)
[4]: I know nothing of the history or fate of this gentleman, except that he was an ardent Royalist, and emigrated from France early in the Revolution.
[5]: I believe this is a quotation from some old Scotch chronicler on the character of King James V.
[6]: The Doctor was Mr. Canning's nickname for Lord Sidmouth, the son of an accomplished physician, the intimate friend of the great Lord Chatham. Mr. Sheridan, when the Scotch Members deserted the Addington administration upon a trying vote, had the grace to say to the Premier, across the table of the House of Commons,—"Doctor! the Thanes fly from thee!"