Selection from the Correspondence of the Late Macvey Napier (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1879 Excerpt: ...my father that, though his opinion of Burke might be open to criticism, a violent or contemptuous attack might of them Whigs and one Tory, complained of that absurd opinion not having been refuted on the spot If there is any offensive expression in it, I will erase it. Nay, I have not the least desire to name Melbourne at all--let it be only a person in "high station, whose abilities give weight and interest to whatever he may state"--as complimentary as you please. Why, he one day described Dr. Robertson as a very florid writer, and given to fanciful statements perhaps choosing the expressions most inapplicable to that great writer. Are all liberals, therefore, to make this trash their critical creed? Then, as to the other parts, --we will, if you please, first dispose of what you say about resigning. That is so absurd--excuse me for saying so in a perfectly friendly sense--that it can't be listened to. You are, however, quite right in saying that my connection with the Edinburgh Review ceases with yourself. But I gravely doubt if the Edinburgh B eview would survive you much longer, and for this reason. Depend upon it a new Edinburgh Review would be instantly started, co nomine. I will undertake for it that Empson will have a competitor, and a more formidable one than he and his clique may perhaps be aware of. I should myself spare no pains, no funds, no entreaties, no labour of body or of mind to make the new Edinburgh Review at least a very formidable competitorj and though, no doubt, his excellent father-in-law1 might give him a helping hand, I doubt his inclination to let family connection countervail old friendship. Therefore, the question is reduced to 'a far simpler and more manageable one, namely, whether the present article shall appear...