facts as well as fiction,' he says, and though it does not become them to brag of their Ordinary, at least they invite thee to a table where thou shalt sit in good company.' Further on he writes concerning his own story, Lovel the Widower,' and Framley Parsonage,' of 'Two novels under two flags; the one that ancient ensign which has hung before the well-known booth of Vanity Fair," the other that fresh and handsome standard which has lately been hoisted on "Barchester Towers."" Father Prout's beautiful inaugurative ode also appeared in this first number. It is addressed to the author of 'Vanity Fair': There's corn in Egypt still (Pilgrim from Cairo to Cornhill !) But all comers among Treat best the young; Fill the big brothers' knapsacks from thy bins, And the poem concludes with a grace almost sung to music: Courage, old Friend! long found. Firm at thy task, nor in fixt purpose fickle : Put forth thy shining sickle: Of Dunce or Dunderhood: But reap North, South, East, Far West, The Poet of the past sang of the may be; the Poet of to-day sings, in lines well worthy of their place, of the might have been; but the two songs do not clash. The harvests have ripened in turn. The High Crusades to lessen tears' are following on the harvests. The world has gained in justice and in knowledge; and true teachers, wise, hopeful, and sincere, still hold their own among the brawling empirics of the hour. Mr. George Smith has himself told us of how the first idea of the magazine came to him. He says: The plan flashed upon me suddenly, as did most of the ideas which have in the course of my life led to successful operations. The existing magazines were few, and when not high-priced were narrow in literary range, and it seemed to me that a shilling magazine which contained, in addition to other first-class literary matter, a serial novel by Thackeray must command a large sale. Thackeray's name was one to conjure with, and according to the plan, as it shaped itself in my mind, the public would have a serial novel by Thackeray, and a good deal else worth reading, for the price they had been accustomed to pay for the monthly number of his novels alone.' We know how successfully the plan' worked, what a remarkable and willing army of helpers joined the enterprise. Many of the growing convictions of to-day were first pre-echoed in those bygone pages. I remember, long a ter my Father's death, hearing Leslie Stephen, who was then Editor, speaking with admiring warmth of some of Ruskin's later writings- Unto this Last,' or, perhaps, some subsequent publication. When the series first appeared in the 'Cornhill' so great an outcry was raised that the papers had to be stopped. Names are recorded of those who used to meet at the 'Cornhill' dinners month after month-honoured familiar names of those who worked then, writing pages still read, designing pictures which are not forgotten. When the time came for my Father to leave the Editorial Chair these meetings went on, and he, too, still belonged to the good company, only he felt the great relief from the straining and recurrent cares of editorship. In March 1862 he wrote to Mr. Smith resigning his post: 36 Onslow Sq., S. W., March 4, 1862. MY DEAR SMITH,-I have been thinking over our conversation of yesterday, and it has not improved the gaiety of the work on which I am presently busy. To-day I have taken my friend, Sir Charles Taylor, into my confidence, and his opinion coincides with mine that I should withdraw from the magazine. To go into bygones now is needless. Before ever the magazine appeared I was, as I have told you, on the point of writing such a letter as this. And whether connected with the Cornhill Magazine' or not, I hope I shall always be Sincerely your friend, This letter was followed by another. W. M. THACKERAY. 36 Onslow Sqr., March 6, 1862. MY DEAR S.,-I daresay your night, like mine, has been a little disturbed but Philip presses, and until this matter is over I can't make that story so amusing as I would wish. I had this pocket-pistol in my breast yesterday, but hesitated to pull the trigger at an old friend. My daughters are for a compromise. They say: It is all very fine Sir Charles Taylor telling you to do so and so. Mr. Smith has proved himself your friend March 4. 1862 ally dear Smitte. I have been thinking over our conversations Yesterday, and it has not improved the gaiety of the work into presently beesy. To day I have taken my friend Sir Charles Taylor my confidence, and his opinion coincides with mine that I should withdraw from the Magazine. To go into bygones now is needless. Before ever the ellagazine appeared, I was, as I have told you, as the point of writing The Cornettill magazine such a letter as this? And whether connected with if or and I hope I shall alway, be Sincerely your friends 36 Onslow Sqr. March 6. 1862 My dear S. I daresay your night, like mene, has been a libele disturbed: but Philip frenc and until thus maller is over I can't make that story so amusing as I would wish. I had this pocked prestol in to pull the trigger my breast yesterday but hesitated compromise. They say It is all very fine Sir Charles Taylor telling you to do so and so? ¿W: Smith has proved himself Your friend always.? Bien. It is because I wish him to remain so, that I and the magazine had better part company. Good bye and Good and God bless as you and all yours |