I am very glad for your sake and for that of the Review that you have had this explanation with Murray. You know that I have always attended to—I might almost say invariably followed—his opinions, for two reasons—because he is a sensible man, and because he is master of his own publication, and therefore has a right to be heard in matters so deeply concerning his interests. I therefore did not object to his interference, but to the tone of it, which was, to my feelings, intolerable. I acknowledge fully Murray’s sovereignty over the Review, but ’tis a constitutional sovereignty, and must be exercised through his ministers. He has a perfect right to change them as he thinks proper, but not to dictate to them what they shall think or say, and, above all, not to do so offensively.
| DEATH OF MRS. LOCKHART. | 383 |
As to my resuming my stated service, that is a matter which is, I admit, possible under the explanation you have had, but I should like, before I reply definitely to that proposition, to have a few minutes’ conversation with you. The late arrangement seemed to me to have two defects, which, at first sight, might appear contradictory. The work was too much, and the pay too great; and to tell you the truth, it was because I fancied that I saw, in all Murray’s communications, that he was of the same opinion, that I was resolved to terminate an engagement which, under such a suspicion, was not endurable. I wish you and Mrs. Lockhart would come here on Wednesday to dine and sleep, and meet the Bishop of Exeter and Mrs. Phillpotts, who come here for that day on their way to town. You and Mrs. Lockhart could stay a day or two longer, and we could talk over our late emeute and future settlement.
