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Indiana University Studies 



I never saw anything but honor and integrity about him. But this was 

 the fact. Messrs. Longman & Co. advanced me one hundred pounds on 

 the credit of one or both of the works: I drew the money for the note, 

 or rather I believe Mr. Blackwood drew it out of the bank for me. But 

 he compelled me, whether I would or not, to grant him my promissory 

 note for the same sum, and I was to have a moiety of the proceeds from 

 both houses. The account was carried on against me till finally oblit- 

 erated; but the proceeds I never heard of, and yet, on coming to London, 

 I find that Messrs. Longman & Co. have not a copy of either of the 

 works, nor have had any for a number of years. It is probable that they 

 may have sold them off at a trade sale, and at a very cheap rate, too ; but 

 half of the edition was mine and they ought to have consulted me, or at 

 least informed me of the transaction. It was because I had an implicit 

 confidence in Blackwood's honor that I signed the bill, though I told him 

 I could not comprehend it. The whole of that trifling business has to this 

 day continued a complete mystery to me. I have told the plain truth, and 

 if any of the parties can explain it away I shall be obliged to them. If 

 the money should ever by any chance drop in, "better late than never" 

 will be my salutation. 



These and other expressions of hke intent enraged Black- 

 wood, and a serious quarrel followed. Its results can best be 

 told by a few extracts from the correspondence of Christopher 

 North. 



Wilson writes offering to mediate between Hogg and Black- 

 wood; after suggesting that all past differences be forgotton 

 he continues : 



But you have accused Mr. Blackwood in your correspondence with 

 him, as I understand, of shabbiness, meanness, selfish motives, and al- 

 most dishonesty. In your memoir there is an allusion to some transac- 

 tion about a bill which directly charges Mr. Blackwood with want of 

 integrity. In that light it was received by a knave and fool in Fraser's 

 Magazine, and on it was founded a charge of downright dishonesty 

 against a perfectly honest and upright man. Now, my good sir, insinu- 

 ation and accusation of this kind are quite another guess sort of matter 

 from mere ebullitions of temper, and it is impossible that Mr. Blockwood 

 can ever make up any quarrel with any man ivJw doubts his integrity. It 

 is your bounden duty to make amends to him on this subject. But even 

 here I would not counsel any a])ology. I would say that it is your duty as 

 an honest man to say fully and freely, and unequivocally, that you know 

 Mr. Blackwood to be one, and in all his dealings with you has behaved 

 as one. 



Wilson goes on to say that Hogg shall not again be written 

 up in the Nodes if Hogg objects. The next letter hints at 

 what was Hogg's reply to the offer of mediation. 



On considering its various contents, I feel that I can be of no use at 

 the present in effecting a reconciliation between you and Mr. Blackwood. 



