| No. X. | JANUARY, 1818. | Vol. II. |
We return our best thanks to F. L. S. for his translation of M. Sismondi’s Essay on Algiers. The circulation of the Genevese Journal, in which that paper appeared some time ago, is so great, that we can scarcely think of borrowing materials from it. Besides F. L. S. will see that some of our own Magazines have already got hold of Mr S.’s Essay. Could not our friend favour us with something from the more rare receptacles of Continental literature ?
D.’s Letter on the Dresses of the “Elizabethan Age” is received and approved of.
We have entrusted the “Life of Bishop Watson” to a person very different indeed from Helvidius Priscus.
Dr Nicol Jarvie’s Letter to the Author of Rob Roy in our next.
We regret to find that an allusion to the discoveries of Sir George Mackenzie in the terra incognita of taste has given offence to some of his Highland friends. Our correspondent Celticus is wrong, however, in asserting that we were happy at the damnation of “Helga.” It was quite the contrary; and we hope the worthy Baronet’s next tragedy will escape the dismal fate of his eldest born.
What does P. P. mean by saying that the Notices in our October Number are “all fudge?” He ought to use his eyes, and he will see that several of the articles therein announced have appeared in each successive Number. We must overtake the rest as the press of new matter will permit. P. P., who seems in his dotage, can have little hope of witnessing their completion.
“On the Cockney School of Poetry, No III.” in our next. But, for the present, we decline Z.’s offered account of Mr Hazlitt’s Lectures on Poetry at the Surrey Institution.
We have received the excellent though somewhat long “Letter on Hamlet,” and accept the Writer’s proposal.
“Three Days’ Walk in the Highlands,” if possible, in our next.
We hope to receive “Prince’s Street Sketches, No II.” in time for our next.
We shall be happy to hear again from the opponent of P. C. K. on any subject he chooses.
Let “the Dampers” be sent soon. We thank our accomplished Correspondent.
Surely the “Old Indian” cannot expect to have all that huge packet of letters inserted. No II. III. IV. and V. shall appear regularly—but positively no more.
We have received “On the Fools of Scotland,” No II. Calvinus. The Writer has misunderstood us. No doubt Calvinus is one of the Fools of Scotland; but he is not of the right Class of Fools. Our proposed Series is intended to describe some of those happy Creatures, who, in former times, enlivened, by their harmless merriment, the hospitable mansions of our Country Gentlemen. Into such company Calvinus could have gained no admittance.
The Translation from Stolberg is mislaid. Will T. favour us with another copy, and any other communication of a similar kind ?
Why so anxious, our worthy friend C., for Palladio and Bailie Johnston? By-and-by.
N.’s beautiful verses, “The Fairies,” in our next.
Our Spanish Correspondent’s paper very soon; but as his MS. is very indistinct, he must forgive any blunders in our translation.
“The Ettrick Shepherd not the author of the Poetic Mirror,” is under consideration.
We have received a very long Memoir of the Life of the same ingenious Person. It is somewhat too highly coloured, and is, moreover, quite superfluous. He has told his own tale already much better than any body else con do, and there is great indelicacy in pressing the matter any farther.
“Anecdotes of the Fife Gypsies, No II.” is received.
Crito should learn to write grammar, and to spell a little, before he attempts to attack the works of a great painter like Allan. He is mistaken as to the author of the “Letter” on the genius of that artist. We know not whether that gentleman is, or is not, a personal friend of Allan, but we do know that Crito is his personal enemy. For shame Mr
E. B.’s papers on Mr Dibdin’s delightful work, the “Decameron,” and on “Dr Drake’s Age of Shakespeare,” are received.
One word respecting Anonymous Contributions. In three cases only have we deviated from the general rule of exclusion to all such articles. Will not H. H., P. S., and E., acknowledge the propriety of such a precautionary general rule? If they wish to withhold their own names, let our correspondents transmit their papers through the hands of gentlemen known to the publisher.
⁂ No XI. will be published in Edinburgh on the 20th, and in London on 28th of February.