I will endeavour, however, to explain myself to you, and will rely on your confidence and indulgence for secrecy and attention in what I have to communicate.

I have before told you that the idea of a new Review has been revolving in my mind for nearly two years, and that more than twelve months ago I addressed Mr.Canning on the subject.

The propriety, if not the necessity, of establishing a journal upon principles opposite to those of the _Edinburgh Review_ has occurred to many men more enlightened than myself; and I believe the same reason has prevented others, as it has done myself, from attempting it, namely, the immense difficulty of obtaining talent of sufficient magnitude to render success even _doubtful_.
By degrees my plan has gradually floated up to this height.

But there exists at least an equal difficulty yet--that peculiar talent in an editor of rendering our other great resources advantageous to the best possible degree.

This, I think, may be accomplished, but it must be effected by your arduous assistance, at least for a little time.