“The Germ,” as we have seen, was a most decided failure, yet it would be a mistake to suppose that it excited no amount of literary attention whatsoever.  There were laudatory notices in “The Dispatch,” “The Guardian,” “Howitt’s Standard of Freedom,” “John Bull,” “The Critic,” “Bell’s Weekly Messenger,” “The Morning Chronicle,” and I dare say some other papers.  A pat on the back, with a very lukewarm hand, was bestowed by “The Art Journal.”  There were notices also—­not eulogistic—­in “The Spectator” and elsewhere.  The editor of “The Critic,” Mr. (afterwards Serjeant) Cox, on the faith of doings in “The Germ,” invited me, or some other of the art-writers there, to undertake the fine-art department—­picture-exhibitions, etc.—­of his weekly review.  This I did for a short time, and, on getting transferred to “The Spectator,” I was succeeded on “The Critic” by Mr. F.G.  Stephens.  I also received some letters consequent upon “The Germ,” and made some acquaintances among authors; Horne, Clough, Heraud, Westland Marston, also Miss Glyn the actress.  I as editor came in for this; but of course the attractiveness of “The Germ” depended upon the writings of others, chiefly Messrs. Woolner, Patmore, and Orchard, my sister, and above all my brother, and, among the artist-etchers, Mr. Holman-Hunt.

I happen to be still in possession of the notices which appeared in “The Critic,” “Bell’s Weekly Messenger,” and “The Guardian,” and of extracts (as given in our present facsimile) from those in “John Bull,” “The Morning Chronicle,” and “The Standard of Freedom”:  I here reproduce the first three for the curious reader’s perusal.  First comes the review which appeared in “The Critic” on February 15, 1850, followed by a second review on June 1.  The former was (as shown by the initials) written by Mr. Cox, and I presume the latter also.  Major Calder Campbell must have called the particular attention of Mr. Cox to “The Germ.”  My own first personal acquaintance with this gentleman may have been intermediate between 15 February and 1 June.

The Germ.  Thoughts towards Nature in Poetry, Literature, and Art. Nos.  I. and ii.  London:  Aylott and Jones.

We depart from our usual plan of noticing the periodicals under one heading, for the purpose of introducing to our readers a new aspirant for public favour, which has peculiar and uncommon claims to attention, for in design and execution it differs from all other periodicals. The Germ is the somewhat affected and unpromising title give to a small monthly journal, which is devoted almost entirely to poetry and art, and is the production of a party of young persons.  This statement is of itself, as we are well aware, enough to cause it to be looked upon with shyness.  A periodical largely occupied with poetry wears an unpromising aspect to readers who have learned from experience what nonsensical stuff most fugitive magazine-poetry is; nor is this natural prejudice diminished by the knowledge that it is the production of young gentlemen and ladies.  But, when they have read a few extracts which we propose to make, we think they will own that for once appearances are deceitful, and that an affected title and an unpromising theme really hides a great deal of genius; mingled however, we must also admit, with many conceits which youth is prone to, but which time and experience will assuredly tame.