Quarterly Review.

Quarterly Review. John Murray, conscious of the growing power and influence of the Edinburgh Review, and strongly disapproving of its Whig opinions, set about the organisation of a work which should counteract what he believed to be its dangerous tendencies. Accordingly, in September 1807, he wrote to Canning with a view of securing his interest in 'a work of the greatest talent and importance.' Though Canning does not seem to have replied directly, his cousin, Mr Stratford Canning, introduced Gifford (q.v.) to Murray in January 1808, and arrangements were afterwards made whereby he became its first editor. Murray sagaciously concluded on reading a review on Marmion in the Edinburgh (1808) that Scott's feelings as a gentleman and a Tory must be wounded, and that he would break his alliance with the whole Whig clique. He judged truly, and in a conference with him at Ashiestiel, in October 1808, he secured his assistance and co-operation. Scott not only wrote to his brother Thomas, C. K. Sharpe, Morritt, and Southey, on behalf of the first number, but sent a letter of advice to Gifford, and became himself a considerable contributor. The first number, rather more literary than political in tone, appeared at the end of February 1809. An edition of 4000 was sold at once, of which 850 went to Ballantyne in Edinburgh. The publisher bravely persevered, though up to the fifth number not one had paid its expenses, and though £5000 of capital was embarked in the undertaking. By 1817 it was an assured success, 14,000 being printed, and Southey, who was its 'sheet anchor,' wrote that 'Murray is a happy fellow living in the light of his own glory.' Great drawbacks were Gifford's unpunctuality, and occasional ill-health. Only two numbers appeared in 1824—No. 60, due in January, in August; and No. 61, due in April, in December. Gifford, resigning the editorship in 1824, was succeeded by John T. Coleridge, who edited only four numbers; his successor was John Gibson Lockhart (q.v.). Murray's original offer to Gifford as editor was 160 guineas a number for contributions, and £200 a year as editor; when he invited Lockhart to London his offer was £1000 a year, which could be made £1500 by contributions, and a share for three years, the profits of which would not be worth less than £1500 per annum. Besides Scott and Southey, George Ellis, Heber, Barrow, Croker, and Captain Head were considerable contributors. Croker had 99 articles in the first 100 numbers. A frequent rate of payment to Scott and Southey was £100 per article. The fashion of the times, and the lighter monthlies, have told against the Quarterly, which still commands, however, the best ability and scholarship in England. See Smiles, A Publisher and his Friends (2 vols. 1891), and articles BOOK-TRADE, MURRAY (JOHN), and PERIODICALS.