It would be mere affectation in me to pretend not to know that my support is of some importance to the Edinburgh Review.  In the situation in which I shall now be placed, a connection with the Review will be of some importance to me.  I know well how dangerous it is for a public man wholly to withdraw himself from the public eye.  During an absence of six years, I run some risk of losing most of the distinction, literary and political, which I have acquired.  As a means of keeping myself in the recollection of my countrymen during my sojourn abroad the Review will be invaluable to me; nor do I foresee that there will be the slightest difficulty in my continuing to write for you at least as much as ever.  I have thought over my late articles, and I really can scarcely call to mind a single sentence in any one of them which might not have been written at Calcutta as easily as in London.  Perhaps in India I might not have the means of detecting two or three of the false dates in Croker’s Boswell.  But that would have been all.  Very little, if any, of the effect of my most popular articles is produced either by minute research into rare books, or by allusions to mere topics of the day.

I think therefore that we might easily establish a commerce mutually beneficial.  I shall wish to be supplied with all the good books which come out in this part of the world.  Indeed, many books which in themselves are of little value, and which, if I were in England, I should not think it worth while to read, will be interesting to me in India; just as the commonest daubs, and the rudest vessels, at Pompeii attract the minute attention of people who would not move their eyes to see a modern signpost, or a modern kettle.  Distance of place, like distance of time, makes trifles valuable.

What I propose, then, is that you should pay me for the articles which I may send you from India, not in money, but in books.  As to the amount I make no stipulations.  You know that I have never haggled about such matters.  As to the choice of books, the mode of transmission, and other matters, we shall have ample time to discuss them before my departure.  Let me know whether you are willing to make an arrangement on this basis.

I have not forgotten Chatham in the midst of my avocations.  I hope to send you an article on him early next week.

Ever yours sincerely

T. B. MACAULAY.

From the Right Hon. Francis Jeffrey to Macvey Napier, Esq.

24, Moray Place Saturday evening, December

My dear Napier,—­I am very much obliged to you for the permission to read this.  It is to me, I will confess, a solemn and melancholy announcement.  I ought not, perhaps, so to consider it.  But I cannot help it.  I was not prepared for six years, and I must still hope that it will not be so much.  At my age, and with that climate for him, the chances of our ever meeting again are terribly endangered by such a term.  He does not know the extent of the damage which his secession may be to the great cause of Liberal government.  His anticipations and offers about the Review are generous and pleasing, and must be peculiarly gratifying to you.  I think, if you can, you should try to see him before he goes, and I envy you the meeting.