LITEKARY AND DOMESTIC LDTE. 261 



But still there is no occasion for rashness, and I do not believe Hunt 

 had that sort of view ; at all events, he has not acted as if he had. 



" My feeling is that in the next number of the Magazine there 

 should be a note to this effect : — ' A certain London publisher has 

 been making some vague and unintelligible inquiries at the shop of 

 our London publisher. If he really wishes to comniunicate with 

 the author of the article which has offended him, let him not come 

 double-distilled through the medium of booksellers, but write at 

 once to the author of the article in question (he may call him N. B. 

 for the present), under cover to Mr. Blackwood, 11 Princes Street, 

 Edinburgh. He will then have his answer.' 



" Whether such a notification as this should or not be sent pre- 

 viously I doubt — but incline to the negative; at all events, the 

 granting of it will save our credit ; and as for Hunt, how stands 

 the matter ? First, Suppose he wishes to bring an action against 

 the author ; against you he has no action, and that he knows ; but 

 you would probably give him no opportunity of bringing one ; at 

 least, poor as I am, I know I would rather pay any thing than be 

 placarded as the defendant in such an action. 2dly, Suppose he 

 wishes to challenge the author. He cannot send a message to you, 

 having printed the last number of the Liberal* Therefore, either 

 way, the affair must come to naught ; I mean as to any thing 

 serious. 



" Blackwood is going to London next week, and will probably 

 visit you on the way, when you and he can talk over this fully ; 

 but ere then, I confess, I should like to have your consent to print 

 such a note as I have mentioned. I cannot endure the notion of 

 these poltroons crowing over us ; and being satisfied that no serious 

 consequences can result, I do think the thing ought to be done. 

 Read Cadell's letter, and think of it, and write me. 



" Above all, for God's sake, be you well and hearty ! Who the 

 devil cares for Cockneydom? Write a good article, and take a 

 couple of tumblers. Yours, afily, 



"J. G. L. 



" P. S. — Reginald Dalton\ is doing very well. The London 

 subscription was 831, which Ebony thought great for a three- 



* The number of the Liberal, I presume, containing an article on the Scottish character, in 

 which the Blackwood writers are compared to "a troop of Yahoos, or a tribe, of satyrs.' 1 

 + Reginald Ballon and Adam Blair were anonymous novels written by Mr. Lockhart. 



