With this advantage, our good cause and St.George to boot, we may at least divide the field with our formidable competitors, who, after all, are much better at cutting than parrying, and whose uninterrupted triumph has as much unfitted them for resisting a serious attack as it has done Buonaparte for the Spanish war.

Jeffrey is, to be sure, a man of the most uncommon versatility of talent, but what then?
"General Howe is a gallant commander, There are others as gallant as he." Think of all this, and let me hear from you very soon on the subject.
Canning is, I have good reason to know, very anxious about the plan.

I mentioned it to Robert Dundas, who was here with his lady for a few days on a pilgrimage to Melrose, and he highly approved of it.

Though no literary man, he is judicious, _clair-voyant_, and uncommonly sound-headed, like his father, Lord Melville.

With the exceptions I have mentioned, the thing continues a secret....
Ever yours, Walter Scott." _Mr.Scott to John Murray_.
_November_ 2, 1808.
I transmitted my letter to Mr.Gifford through the Lord Advocate, and left it open that Mr.Canning might read it if he thought it worth while.