“. . . . I had the fate of Cassandra in the Beacon matter from beginning to end. I endeavoured 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 enquired
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 par-
| THE BEACON—1821. | 155 |
