In 1820 we find the first mention of a name afterwards to become as celebrated as any of those with which Mr. Murray was associated.  Owing to the warm friendship which existed between the Murrays and the D’Israelis, the younger members of both families were constantly brought together on the most intimate terms.  Mr. Murray was among the first to mark the abilities of the boy, Benjamin Disraeli, and, as would appear from the subjoined letter, his confidence in his abilities was so firm that he consulted him as to the merits of a MS. when he had scarcely reached his eighteenth year.

Mr. Benjamin Disraeli to John Murray. August 1822.

Dear Sir,

I ran my eye over three acts of “Wallace,” [Footnote:  “Wallace:  a Historical Tragedy,” in five acts, was published in 1820.  Joanna Baillie spoke of the author, C.E.  Walker, as “a very young and promising dramatist.”] and, as far as I could form an opinion, I cannot conceive these acts to be as effective on the stage as you seemed to expect.  However, it is impossible to say what a very clever actor like Macready may make of some of the passages.  Notwithstanding the many erasures the diction is still diffuse, and sometimes languishing, though not inelegant.  I cannot imagine it a powerful work as far as I have read.  But, indeed, running over a part of a thing with people talking around is too unfair.  I shall be anxious to hear how it succeeds.  Many thanks, dear sir, for lending it to me.  Your note arrives.  If on so slight a knowledge of the play I could venture to erase either of the words you set before me, I fear it would be Yes, but I feel cruel and wicked in saying so.  I hope you got your dinner in comfort when you got rid of me and that gentle pyramid [Belzoni].

Yours truly,

B.D.

Mr. Southey was an indefatigable and elaborate correspondent, and, as his letters have already been published, it is not necessary to quote them.  He rarely wrote to Mr. Gifford, who cut down his articles, and, as Southey insisted, generally emasculated them by omitting the best portions.  Two extracts may be given from those written to Mr. Murray in 1820, which do not seem yet to have been given to the world, the first in reference to a proposed Life of Warren Hastings: 

“It appears to me that the proper plan will be to publish a selection from Warren Hastings’s papers and correspondence, accompanying it with his Life.  That Life requires a compendious view of our Indian history down to the time of his administration, and in its progress it embraces the preservation of our Indian empire and the establishment of the existing system.  Something must be interwoven concerning the history of the native powers, Mahomedan, Moor, Mahratta, etc., and their institutions.  I see how all this is to be introduced, and see also that no subject can afford materials more important or more various.  And what a pleasure it will