266 THE ESTABLISHMENT OF [18.04. 



nated. I was so hurried while it was going on, that 

 I really had not leisure to estimate them properly; 

 and it is only since the number has been out that I 

 discovered myself to have been indebted to you for 

 no less than six sheets. I have been prevented, too, 

 from the same cause, from deprecating your indul- 

 gence for the liberty I took in suppressing and altering 

 a few sentences in the beginning of your Lauderdale. 

 They did not bear at all upon the argument, and I 

 was really anxious that there should be no pretext for 

 complaining of anything personal or contemptuous in 

 the manner.* I have not yet seen any of the other 

 reviews; but it will give me great pleasure to find 

 that the confutation, which must, I think, be the 

 most masterly and convincing, is also the most tem- 

 perate and polite. It will amuse you to hear that I 

 was presented to the peer, and spent an hour in con- 

 versation with him, the very day on which the Eeview 

 came out. I was anxious to see him afterwards, but 

 though I remained till yesterday in his neighbour- 

 hood, I never had an opportunity of meeting with 

 him. He seems to have shut himself up immediately 

 on receipt of the book, and had not emerged when I 

 left that part of the country. 



" I forget what I said to Horner, but I am sure I 

 excepted Lauderdale from the sentence of mediocrity. 



" Of that article he knew my sentiments long before 



* Referring to a review of ' An Inquiry into the Nature and Origin 

 of Public Wealth, and into the Means and Causes of its Increase,' by 

 the Earl of Lauderdale. 'Edinburgh Review' for July 1804, p. 343. 



