No. 3 of the Quarterly was also late, and was not published until the end of August.  The contributors were behindhand; an article was expected from Canning on Spain, and the publication was postponed until this article had been received, printed and corrected.  The foundations of it were laid by George Ellis, and it was completed by George Canning.

Of this article Mr. Gifford wrote: 

“In consequence of my importunity, Mr. Canning has exerted himself and produced the best article that ever yet appeared in any Review.”

Although Mr. Gifford was sometimes the subject of opprobrium because of his supposed severity, we find that in many cases he softened down the tone of the reviewers.  For instance, in communicating to Mr. Murray the first part of Dr. Thomson’s article on the “Outlines of Mineralogy,” by Kidd, he observed: 

Mr. Gifford to John Murray.

“It is very splenitick and very severe, and much too wantonly so.  I hope, however, it is just.  Some of the opprobrious language I shall soften, for the eternal repetitions of ignorance, absurdity, surprising, etc., are not wanted.  I am sorry to observe so much Nationality in it.  Let this be a secret between us, for I will not have my private opinions go beyond yourself.  As for Kidd, he is a modest, unassuming man, and is not to be attacked with sticks and stones like a savage.  Remember, it is only the epithets which I mean to soften; for as to the scientific part, it shall not be meddled with.”

His faithful correspondent, Mr. Ellis, wrote as to the quality of this third number of the Quarterly.  He agreed with Mr. Murray, that though profound, it was “most notoriously and unequivocally dull....  We must veto ponderous articles; they will simply sink us.”

Isaac D’Israeli also tendered his advice.  He was one of Mr. Murray’s most intimate friends, and could speak freely and honestly to him as to the prospects of the Review.  He was at Brighton, preparing his third volume of the “Curiosities of Literature.”

Mr. I. D’Israeli to John Murray.

“I have bought the complete collection of Memoirs written by individuals of the French nation, amounting to sixty-five volumes, for fifteen guineas....  What can I say about the Q.R.? Certainly nothing new; it has not yet invaded the country.  Here it is totally unknown, though as usual the Ed. Rev. is here; but among private libraries, I find it equally unknown.  It has yet its fortune to make.  You must appeal to the feelings of Gifford!  Has he none then?  Can’t you get a more active and vigilant Editor?  But what can I say at this distance?  The disastrous finale of the Austrians, received this morning, is felt here as deadly.  Buonaparte is a tremendous Thaumaturgus!...  I wish you had such a genius in the Q.R.....  My son Ben assures me you are in Brighton.  He saw you!  Now, he never lies.” [Footnote:  Mr. Murray was in Brighton at the time.]