time anonymous articles to the leading periodicals, which, although they added nothing to his fame, improved his income and gave him increased facility in composition. Among the occasional papers thus furnished, were several biographical notices of the poets and philosophers of Greece; critiques on the ancient classics; and other miscellaneous articles, several of which were thrown aside as soon as written, and never printed. It has been generally supposed that Campbell wrote very little at this period of his life; such, however, was not the faet; but it is true that what came before the public comprised only a small proportion of what he wrote. His flow of thought was not rapid; and the extreme fastidiousness of his taste was a constant embarrassment to his progress. In writing he was often like an artist setting figures in mosaic-cautiously marking the weight, shape, and effect of each particular piece before dropping it into its place. Nor did this habit of nicety and precision diminish with experience; for erasures are more frequent in his later, than in his early manuscripts. He was rarely if ever satisfied with his own productions, however finely imagined or elaborately finished. Aiming at that degree of perfection to which no modern author, perhaps, has ever attained, his progress was not equal to his perseverance; for what was written in the evening was often discarded the next morning.

In the history of his literary and domestic cares, the first joyful event is thus briefly announced to Mr. Richard

son :

MY DEAR JOHN,

UPPER EATON STREET, PIMLICO, July 1, 1804.

A son was born to me this morning. I hope he will live to regard you with the same affection as yours,

T. CAMPBELL.

ET. 26.] BIRTH OF A SON-POETS BORN TO TROUBLE.

17

The birthday was duly registered, more majorum, in the family Bible. The boy was christened Thomas Telford, in compliment to Mr. Telford the engineer, who stood sponsor on the occasion, and at his death left a handsome legacy to the Poet. The happiness inspired by this event came in for a large share of the father's correspondence. He had now "given hostages to society for his own good behaviour," and speaks of the new bond of relationship as the sweetener of his existence, and the sacred motive to cheerful and persevering industry.

But "what is the life of man? Is it not to shift from side to side, from sorrow to sorrow? to button up one cause of vexation, and unbutton another?" Within a fortnight after this announcement, his mind was harassed by fresh apprehensions respecting his pecuniary resources, which were then under the control of his publisher in Edinburgh, whom he had seriously, but unintentionally, offended. Campbell freely admits that he had acted thoughtlessly in the case; and, through the medium of a friend-his solicitor-general on all similar occasionsendeavours to soften a resentment, the consequences of which might grievously affect his income. In addition to the extracts already given, the following is, perhaps, that in which the merits of the question are most clearly and concisely stated :

July 14, 1804.

A poet is born to trouble as the sparks fly upwards. I have only one consolation-and that is the idea of having yourself in Edinburgh to act as my friend in a business that requires both secrecy and trouble.* The

* This misunderstanding, which gave rise to a tedious correspondence of no interest to the public, was at last amicably settled; but not until the Poet's cause had been taken up by several of his friends in Edinburgh, who had great difficulty in effecting a reconciliation. See correspondence of 1807—8.

bare mention of the word secrecy may perhaps alarm the delicacy of a mind, so little prone to concealment; but it is really necessary, and not dishonourable. . . The fact is this I have got into a literary scrape: I am dealing with a bookseller in Edinburgh, in a business where he can hurt me much. But at this distance, and corresponding with me, he answers no letters.-About the time when I was agog after my wife, I engaged to write a History of England." It was to be in three volumes-a sequel to Smollett. I have nearly finished it. The bargain was that I was to do it plainly and decently-but, as the price they could afford was but small, it was to be anonymous. Now, in the course of performing this task, some ideas which at first did not appear to me, have given me no little uneasiness. . . The last time he wrote, it was a blunt demand, without either offer or terms, for a volume of new poems, which I had not to give him. . . About half a year ago, expecting (as hitherto) a largess on this eighth edition of my book, which his partner, Mr. Mundell, promised on every edition, in consideration of what I gave him in addition to the second part of "The Pleasures of Hope," I sent my mother a draft on Mr. Doig. But, although this premium on each edition is due to me, and although I was even working for him at the time, he refused the demand! . . . I wish, however, to avoid all rupture with him, for it would both degrade and injure me. I have continued my "History," destined to be anonymous; for after all the trouble it has cost me, it could not well be abandoned; but what has passed has excited a dryness and a silence on his part; and if anything has come across him to change his purpose about the continuation of Smollett, I should not be surprised if he offered to throw it on my hands, unless I send him another volume of poems. . . I have no objections to do journeyman's work, yet I don't

ET. 26.] LETTER TO A FRIEND-IMPAIRED HEALTH.

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wish to be congratulated by all the world on the appearance of my" History!". . At the same time it is done, boná fide, to the utmost of my promise, and exactly in the spirit of the bargain between us. Another way in which he can plague me is to insist upon my coming to Edinburgh to correct the sheets. I have stated in my letter to him that I should ask this favour of you; and that I wished a conversation between you to have his answer, whether that will be sufficient. . . As to coming immediately to Scotland, I could not without inconceivable trouble. Your conference would enable me besides to accomplish two material points: I should be able sooner to obtain his bill for the price, which is to me of some importance..

It is my only hope in this distress, that I have such a friend as you. I trust I shall be finally in Edinburgh within eight months; for the circumstance of your being there weighs decisively in my choice of residence; but at present removal is out of the question. I look forward to many happy days! for except a distress such as this, and occasional headaches, I bless God there is no man now so perfectly in love with existence, or more fitted to relish the happiness of being with my friends; and you shall like my little partner, I promise you, as she loves you sincerely already. T. C.

*

*

*

The irritation produced by this unpleasant negotiation, increased by temporary disappointments, and the necessity for continuous mental exertion, greatly impaired his health. His friends became alarmed; a change of residence was recommended; for Pimlico "was expensive, and not over healthy." The long-cherished hope of removing his household gods to "some cottage home," in the outskirts of Edinburgh, and in the congenial atmosphere of his early friends, was indefinitely postponed, if not

abandoned.* Circumstances, over which he had no control, had sprung up and completely changed his prospects. London was now the only field that promised any permanent and profitable exercise of his talents. One of his distinguished friends, indeed, had generously offered him one of the highest literary appointments of the day; but its laborious duties and delicate responsibilities were such as to render the undertaking so formidable, in his precarious state of health, that the tempting offer was reluctantly declined. But he was deeply sensible of the compliment; and, although he could not profit by the offer, it had the happy effect of giving him more confidence in his own abilities, and a better opinion of human nature, than his recent trials had led him to form.

Another circumstance-which had much weight in his decision to remain near London-was a situation which he had just obtained in connection with "The Star" newspaper, and which produced an income of four guineas a week. His contributions to periodical literature were still a source of emolument; but, ill health supervening, literary composition was usually followed by great mental depression-the inward struggle to resist the outward pressure. But his hopes were still sanguine; his friends were kind; and better prospects seemed to be opening. Of his private life and feelings at this moment, the following letter, though rather sanguine, presents an animated picture :

*

Judging from his more confidential letters on this subject, his intention of settling in Edinburgh was given up in consequence of anonymous personal annoyances, [p. 8,] which he apprehended would be increased-not diminished -by his return to Scotland: but, at the same time, the advantages of London as a literary field were more sensibly felt, and contributed, perhaps, more than any other consideration, to his making it his future residence.