It is with no small degree of pleasure that I send, for the
favour of your acceptance, the first number of the Quarterly Review, a work
which owes its birth to your obliging countenance and introduction of me to
Mr. Gifford. I flatter myself that
upon the whole you will not be dissatisfied with our first attempt, which is
universally allowed to be so very respectable. Had you been in London during
its progress, it would, I am confident, have been rendered more deserving of
public attention. We need, indeed, the exertion of great energy to counteract
the baneful effects of the widely circulating and dangerous principles of the
E. R.
which becomes, if possible, more immoral and certainly more openly
Jacobinical—and the sale of this
| MR. STRATFORD CANNING. | 153 |
It is unnecessary for me to inform you that your friends are the principal writers and patrons of the Quarterly Review and that Mr. G—— is the editor. I find that, upon comparison with the E. R., we are thought to want spirit, and we require a succession of novelty to attract public attention before we shall be sufficiently read to render our counteracting arguments and principles decidedly serviceable to our cause. It will, I fear, be hoping too much to think that you have time to favour us with an article yourself during your present occupation, but if you would collect and send over foreign works of any and every kind in any language, if they have either importance or interest either for their literature or politics, it would very essentially oblige Mr. G——, and serve the cause, for by giving an account of books and subjects which the E. R. cannot have access to we shall provoke public attention, and by this means be able to insinuate and to circulate our better doctrines in Church and State. I am very willing to undergo any expense for foreign works of any kind, and I entreat the favour of you to lose no opportunity of forwarding them either by land or sea. Foreign journals, if occasionally transmitted by couriers, would be extremely valuable. I trust that you will do me the favour to pardon this intrusion respecting the Review, but as you have been so unquestionably instrumental to its foundation, I am very ambitious of rendering you its patron also. It will afford me infinite pleasure to hear of your health and advancement.
I shall ever be, with the highest esteem, dear Sir,
