bold heart and a bright eye are the best omens of success, and who shall gainsay us that we lack either? Consider me a copartner in your enterprise. Tell me how I shall forward any papers. Will it be time enough when I come up to London at Christmas? If my communications have somewhat of a demonstrative air, you must lay it to the Newton and La Place, from whose company they will reach you. *** Yours very truly, R. K. LETTER II. From A. K. L. to H. Moubray, Esq., Foundation, Charterhouse. Dear Moubray, Oxford, Oct. 19. Before I received your letter, we had heard a report at Oxford that some two or three bold spirits were about to launch the good ship to be called "The Carthusian," and to be manned exclusively from "Domus.” You know that you have my hearty wishes for the success of the enterprise; and after "Collections" are over, my hand shall also be at your service. Every old Charterhouse man whom I meet promises to take a copy or two as a matter of course, and I do not think that you need fear any want of contributors from this quarter. Many fight shy of the first number, and more who do not yet publicly avow their support, will, I am sure, secretly give it you. You cannot be surprised that there is a little holding back till the Editors have proved themselves "good men and true" by the production of No. I.; but with such a list of contributors as you sent me, you want little further aid. You are aware that we meditated the same scheme some time ago, but never had courage to come to the scratch--to the press I should say,-for many a fair sheet lay bescribbled in my study, though it never reached the honours of type. I want to know many particulars on points where you are silent. Who is your third Editor? Does know anything of it? When will the first Number appear? How often? Who assists you at Cambridge? Is it confined to Gownboys? What do you admit? What exclude? Will a rejected Latin Prize Poem find favour in your eyes? Let me know all these things, and a thousand more. In great haste. My hack is waiting for me at Quartermaine's, and I shall have no time to write again between this and Hall. I think you are a great fool for your pains. You will get neither writers nor readers, and you may take all the copies yourself for anything that I shall help you to the contrary. If your book is to be like your prospectus, I wish you joy of your bargain. The trash about the kite was inexpressibly childish, and the length of the first sentence enough to wind an otter *. You may keep my name "strictly secret," or not, as you please. Yours in disgust, PETER SOWERBY. * Dear Peter,-Was not a long winded sentence appropriate to the metaphor ?-H. M. LETTER IV. To the Editors of the Carthusian. Gentlemen and Brother Schoolfellows, (for we have doubtless laboured under the same "very worthy and approved good masters,")—I have just seen, and printed, by the way, on most attractive coloured paper! -an announcement of the projected "Carthusian"; and I think it so admirable a scheme that I lose no time in begging you to enrol my name among the subscribers. Whether the contents of my brain, as well as those of my purse, may be brought into requisition, must depend on the decision of the Council Editorial; as whatever individual opinion I may have formed upon the subject, I bow most deferentially to their superior united judgments; concurring entirely with our old friend Cerberus, that "three heads are better than one." I am, Gentlemen, Your most obedient humble Servant, * ** * * Eight years a Carthusian. LETTER V. From the Rev. Andrew Croaker to G. Buchanan, Esq., Charterhouse. My dear Boy, Vicarage, Nov. 30. You ask me my opinion of your scheme. Take my advice, and don't print. I think you have miscalculated your strength, and undertaken too much. I know how easy it is to get up a Prospectus; but successfully to produce and carry through a miscellany such as you purpose, is a matter more difficult than you seem to imagine. It requires so much of tact in writing for the taste of the times, that with all my desire to think highly of your united talents, the fear lest you should fail gives me, I confess, great uneasiness. * * * * I hope you are assured of the support of some of your former schoolfellows, and that your first Number may put my forebodings to flight. My love for CH. and all that belong to it will make me take a lively interest in watching the progress of your juvenile efforts. Believe me to remain Your sincere well-wisher, ANDREW CROAKER. LETTER VI. To the Editors of the Carthusian. Cheltenham, Dec. 1. Well done, Boys! I like your announcement, and hope the appeal you make for assistance may be met in the spirit it deserves. But that I am somewhat too old to join in your sport, I would gladly try my pen in your service; you must therefore be content with my sincerely expressed hope that your literary kite may rise steadily, and long remain up in the estimation of your friends, among whom reckon AN OLD CARTHUSIAN. LETTER VII. From H. F. Larkins to the Editors. My dear Fellows, Oxford, Dec. 2. I heartily wish you success with your new drag, though you should have sported a four-in-hand. Your unicorn editorship is awfully snobbish. One never dreams now of such a turn-out except on a cross-road or up hill, neither of which ways, I trust, you mean to work. Even the busses have given up their "tertium quid" long ago; but I know your cattle to be reg'lar varmint, and there's no fear but you'll be able to pay the turnpikes. Can I lend you my whip-hand? Whenever any of your toolers are laid up, put me on as an extra, and trust me your ribbons cannot be in safer keeping. I have some "reminiscences of the road" that are at your service, and perhaps you would like every now and then some extracts from the waybills, in which case I shall be delighted to transmit them. If, however, you don't turn out in good style, bear your leaders up well, speak civil to the ins and outs, keep your time and your temper, and rattle away at a good swinging pace,-in a word, if you prove yourself (what I don't expect from such mettle as yours) a slow coach, 'sure as fate I shall start an opposition, and take away every customer you have. I must pull up now, for it's getting dark, and I have no one here to light my lamps. Sincerely yours, HERBERT F. LARKINS. P.S. As I have no special book-keeper of my own here, tell Moore to forward me the numbers as you trot them out. LETTER VIII. To Mr. Moore, 58, Barbican. Put down my name for three copies of the Carthu sian. T. SHORT. |