Stephenson: The Ettrick Shepherd 



51 



set up for a connoisseur in manners, taste, and genius, has certainly 

 much more the appearance of romance than a matter of fact. Yet a 

 matter of fact it certainly is, and such a person is the editor of The Spy. 



He, indeed, expected no indulgence on that score, which he testified 

 by giving his papers, even to his intimate acquaintances, anonymously; 

 . , . . his first printer and publisher did not even know who the 

 editor was. . . . 



He is, however, willing to believe, that these considerations will ac- 

 count in part for some inadvertencies that raised such a prejudice 

 against The Spy on its first outset. It is hoped the candid reader will 

 easily discover that these never have proceeded from the slightest in- 

 tention of injuring the cause of virtue and truth, but either from inat- 

 tention or mere simplicity of heart. . . . 



Thus far may be said in justification of those papers that in no one 

 instance is the cause of religion, virtue, or benevolence injured or vio- 

 lated, but always encouraged, however ineffectively; therefore, though 

 The Spy merits not admiration, he is at least entitled to kindness for 

 his good intentions. , . . 



The papers which have given the greatest personal offence, are those 

 of Mr. Shuffleton, which clamour obliged the editor reluctantly to dis- 

 continue. Of all the poets and poetesses whose works are there em- 

 blematically introduced, one gentleman alone stood the test, and his 

 firmness was even by himself attributed to forgiveness; all the rest, 

 male and female, tossed i:p their noses, and pronounced the writer 

 an ignorant and incorrigible barbarian. The Spy acknowledges him- 

 self the author of these papers, and adheres to the figurative 

 characters which he has there given of the poetical works of these 

 authors. He knows that it is expected in a future edition that they 

 will all be altered — but they never shall — though the entreaties of re- 

 spected friends prevailed on him to relinquish a topic which was his 

 favorite one. What he has published, he has published; and no private 

 considerations shall induce him to an act of such apparent servility, 

 as that of making a renunciation ; and those who are so grossly ignorant 

 as to suppose the figurative characteristics of the poetry, as having the 

 smallest reference to the personal characters of the authors of these 

 poems, are below arguing with. . . . 



The character of a writer, especially of a periodical writer, has at 

 least ten chances for being blasted for one of attaining eminence. He 

 solicits the regard of a multitude fluctuating in pleasures or immersed 

 in business, without time for intellectual amusements. He appeals to 

 judges o'erpossessed by passions, or corrupted by prejudices, which pre- 

 clude their approbation of any new performance. Many are too indolent 

 to read anything till its reputation is established, others too envious to 

 .promote that fame which gives them pain by its increase. What ap- 

 pears new is opposed, because most are unwilling to be taught; and 

 what is known is rejected, because it is not sufficiently considered, that 

 men more fre-^uently require to be reminded than informed. The 

 learned are afraid to declare their opinions early, lest they should put 

 their reputation to hazard; the ignorant always imagine themselves 

 giving some proof of delicacy when they refuse to be pleased; and he 



