Another little book published about this time has a curious history, and illustrates the lottery of book publishing.  Mrs. Markham’s [Footnote:  This lady’s real name was Mrs. Penrose.] “History of England” was first published by Constable, but it fell still-born from the press.  Mr. Murray, discerning the merit of the work in 1824, bought the remainder of 333 copies from Constable, and had it revised, corrected, and enlarged, and brought out in an entirely new form.  He placed it in his list of school books, and pushed it among the teachers throughout the country, until at length it obtained a very large and regular circulation.  The book has subsequently undergone frequent revision, and down to the present date it continues to be a great favourite, especially in ladies’ schools.

CHAPTER XXIII

GIFFORD’S RETIREMENT FROM THE EDITORSHIP OF THE “QUARTERLY”—­AND DEATH

It had for some time been evident, as has been shown in a previous chapter, that Gifford was becoming physically incapable of carrying on the Editorship of the Quarterly Review, but an occasional respite from the pressure of sickness, as well as his own unwillingness to abandon his connection with a work which he regarded with paternal affection, and Murray’s difficulty in finding a worthy successor, combined to induce him to remain at his post.

He accordingly undertook to carry on his editorial duties till the publication of the 60th number, aided and supported by the active energy of Barrow and Croker, who, in conjunction with the publisher, did most of the necessary drudgery.

In December 1823 Canning had written to say that he was in bed with the gout; to this Gifford replied: 

MY DEAR CANNING,

I wish you had a pleasanter bedfellow; but here am I on the sofa with a cough, and a very disagreeable associate I find it.  Old Moore, I think, died all but his voice, and my voice is nearly dead before me; in other respects, I am much as I was when you saw me, and this weather is in my favour....  I have promised Murray to try to carry on the Review to the 60th number; the 58th is now nearly finished.  This seems a desperate promise, and beyond it I will not, cannot go; for, at best, as the old philosopher said, I am dying at my ease, as my complaint has taken a consumptive turn.  The vultures already scent the carcase, and three or four Quarterly Reviews are about to start.  One is to be set up by Haygarth, whom I think I once mentioned to you as talked of to succeed me, but he is now in open hostility to Murray; another is to be called the Westminster Quarterly Review, and will, if I may judge from the professions of impartiality, be a decided Opposition Journal.  They will all have their little day, perhaps, and then drop into the grave of their predecessors.  The worst is that we cannot yet light upon a fit and promising successor.