"Publish," he said, "the best information, the best science, the best literature; and leave the public to decide for themselves." Relying on this opinion he warned Gifford and his friends against attacking Sydney Smith, and Leslie, and Jeffrey, because of their contributions to the _Edinburgh_.

He thought that such attacks had only the effect of advertising the rival journal, and rendering it of greater importance.

With reference to the article on Sydney Smith's "Visitation Sermon" in No.

5, Mr.George Ellis privately wrote to Mr.Murray: "Gifford, though the best-tempered man alive, is _terribly_ severe with his pen; but S.S.would suffer ten times more by being turned into ridicule (and never did man expose himself so much as he did in that sermon) than from being slashed and cauterized in that manner." The following refers to a difference of opinion between Mr.Murray and his editor.

Mr.Gifford had resented some expression of his friend's as savouring of intimidation.
_John Murray to Mr.Gifford_.
_September_ 25, 1810.
"I entreat you to be assured that the term 'intimidation' can never be applied to any part of my conduct towards you, for whom I entertain the highest esteem and regard, both as a writer and as a friend.