The Gentleman's Magazine

greater eagerness for intelligence of his ships than does the editor for tokens of the appreciation by the public of his literary ventures. Every work that finds its way into these pages and every individual contribution has its private history, which is closely associated afterwards with every incident of its public reception. When, for example, the praises reach me from so many quarters of Mr. Francillon's bright and picturesque novel, I am reminded of certain anxious days in November last, when suddenly and unexpectedly it became my duty to secure if possible a great leading story with which to commence this present volume; and I can never think of "Olympia" without remembering the profound relief and satisfaction with which I read, in caligraphy as beautiful and legible as professional script before the days of Caxton, that finely-written prologue in which "Francis the Forger" comes forth into the world again, his term of penal servitude completed. I had been just too late to secure the privilege of publishing Mr. Blackmore's "Alice Lorraine," which is now running in the pages of the famous old 'Maga." The same day which gave me a pleasant interview with the author of "Earl's Dene" brought me a regretful intimation from the author of the "Daughter of Heth" that it would be impossible for him to prepare a work for these twelve months of the Gentleman's Magazine. But these and other anxieties I found fading from my mind as I read on through the early foolscap sheets of Mr. Francillon's excellent "copy." To a certain feature which has been introduced into this volume and is running into the next I cannot help referring with particular pride and satisfaction, not more because of the favourable reception of the papers.

by the public than by reason of the manner in which they seem to link together the remote past and the living present of the Gentleman's Magazine. The "Member for the Chiltern Hundreds" is, I think, a not altogether unworthy successor, after a long interval, of one who gave to the readers of this periodical the first unprivileged and now historical narratives of the proceedings of Parliament some hundred and thirty years ago. Allow for the changes of a century and a quarter, for the modern functions of the daily press, and for all that goes to render the province and scope of a monthly magazine so different to-day from those of the middle of the eighteenth century, and the author of "Men and Manner in Parliament" may be fairly credited with performing for 1874 the part so ably played by Dr. Johnson in the days when there was no reporter's gallery over the Speaker's chair. From the charming retreat in Italy, where Mr. and Mrs. Cowden Clarke are spending the happy autumn of their days, I am in frequent receipt of communications relating to men and women of letters and intellectual life in England half a century ago, and I hope in the course of a few months to publish some literary reminiscences after the manner of those interesting "Recollections of John Keats," which appeared in the February

number.

Though there is no duty incumbent upon me in these latter days to refer to the events of the past six months, I should have felt impelled to pay a passing tribute to the memory of Shirley Brooks, an old contributor to the Gentleman's Magazine, were it not that the painful task has been so ably and so kindly performed by his personal friend Mr. Blanchard Jerrold.

Even this brief six months' work is too much to be gossiped over in detail. I must dismiss a score of incidents and suggestions that rise to mind touching my contributors, their work, and the mention that has been made of it. I am grateful for so much good help Greater things will be at least attempted in

and so much success.

future volumes.

THE EDITOR.

CONTENTS.

Bazaine. By ARCHIBALD FORBES

Charles Dickens. By GEORGE BARNETT SMITH

Clytie. A Novel of Modern Life. By JOSEPH HATTON :—

Book II:-

Chap. XIII.-The Thumbscrew

XIV. The Rack.

XV. The Wheel

XVI.-Broken on the Wheel.