The Autobiography of William Jerdan
William Gifford to William Jerdan, 22 November [1817?]
“James Street, Nov. 22.
“Dear Sir,
“I had proposed to myself the pleasure of calling on
you, but the fear of increasing a cold which is perpetually before me, delayed
me from day to day.
“The present number is, as you have probably seen, ![]()
| THE QUARTERLY—W. GIFFORD. | 109 |
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printed, and nearly ready
for publication; but I am extremely desirous of meeting Parliament, at its
opening, with the succeeding one, which must have something of a political
tendency. I shall, therefore, be happy to hear from you at your earliest
opportunity; for as we have but two months before us to get nearly a world of
matter, not an instant should be lost.
“I am well convinced that you must have taken no
ordinary pains, and am truly sorry that you have experienced any interruption
from illness. Kemp and I, indeed, are but too well
acquainted, but what business have you, young and strong, with such an
impertinent visitant?
“I shall hope to hear from you as soon as your leisure
will admit; and am, dear Sir,
William Gifford (1756-1826)
Poet, scholar, and editor who began as a shoemaker's apprentice; after Oxford he
published
The Baviad (1794),
The Maeviad
(1795), and
The Satires of Juvenal translated (1802) before becoming
the founding editor of the
Quarterly Review (1809-24).
William Jerdan (1782-1869)
Scottish journalist who for decades edited the
Literary Gazette;
he was author of
Autobiography (1853) and
Men I
have Known (1866).
