LITERATURE. BLACK WOOD'S MAGAZINE. 157 



facts of his life, without keeping any thing in the background that 

 throws light upon them. The following is Jeffrey's reply to his 

 communication, which I regret has not come into my hands : — 



"Craigceook, 11th October, 1817. 

 " My dear Wilson : — I give you up Byron freely, and thank- 

 fully accept of your conditional promise about the drama; for Cole- 

 ridge, I should like first to have a little talk with you. I had in- 

 tended to review him fairly, and, if possible, favorably, myself, at 

 all events mercifully ; but, on looking into the volume, I can discern 

 so little new, and so much less good than I had expected, that I 

 hesitate about noticing him at all. I cannot help fearing, too, that 

 the discrepancy of our opinions as to that style of poetry may be 

 too glaring to render it prudent to venture upon it, at least under 

 existing circumstances; and besides, if I must unmask all my weak- 

 ness to you, I am a little desirous of having the credit, though it 

 should only be an inward one, of doing a handsome or even kind 

 thing to a man who has spoken ill of me, and am unwilling that a 

 favorable review of this author should appear in the Review from 

 any other hand than my own. But we shall talk of this after I have 

 considered the capabilities of the work a little further. 



" I am very much gratified by the kind things you are pleased to 

 say of me, though the flattering ones with which you have mixed 

 them rather disturb me. When you know me a little better, you 

 will find me a very ordinary fellow, and really not half so vain as 

 to take your testimony in behalf of my qualifications. I have, I 

 suppose, a little more practice and expertness in some things than 

 you can yet have, but I am very much mistaken if you have not 

 more talent of every kind than I have. What I think of your char- 

 acter you may infer from the offer I have made you of my friend- 

 ship, and which I rather think I never made to any other man. 



" I think you have a kind heart and a manly spirit, and feel per- 

 fectly assured that you will always act with frankness, gentleness, 

 and firmness. I ask pardon for sending you this certificate, but I 

 do not know how else to express so clearly the grounds of my re- 

 gard and esteem. 



" Believe me always, very faithfully yours, 



"F. Jeffrey. 

 " I hope to see you on your return from Glasgow." 



7* 



