Quarterly Review
VOLUME 23 , NUMBER 45 (May 1820)

NOTES

• This Number was published 27 May 1820 [Courier advertisement, 27 May 1820; the date on the Quarterly Review's original front wrapper reads 'May 1820']
  
  
• On pages 279-80 of this Number an editor's note appears clarifying an anecdote in #529. The note asserts the treachery of Arabs and 'that habitual disregard of strict truth for which the people of the east are notorious.'
  
  
• Important or otherwise interesting articles in this Number include: #534, #541, #544
  
  
• Number of definite attributions for this issue: 11
  
  
• Number of probable or possible attributions for this issue: 1

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CONTENTS, IDENTIFICATION OF CONTRIBUTORS, AND HISTORICAL NOTES

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534 Article 1. Coxe, Memoirs of John Duke of Marlborough, with his Original Correspondence; collected from the Family Records at Blenheim, and other authentic sources; illustrated with Portraits, Maps, and Military Plans. Second Edition, 1-73. Author: Robert Southey.

Running Title: Coxe—Life of Marlborough.

Notes: In attributing the article to Southey, Shine cites JM III's Register; Cottle 242-43; Southey 577; BL Catalogue; and Gentleman's Magazine XXI 578. Shine says to see also Southey 317, 371, 377, 379; Smiles II 43 [quotes Southey to JM, 21 July 1818: offers to review Coxe]; and Warter III 123, 164, 169. Shine quotes from the following letters. Murray MS., WG to JM, postmarked Ramsgate, 6 Aug. [1818]: 'Let him [Southey] take Coxe—This is quite in his way, & he will do it well.' J. Pierpont Morgan Library MS., Robert Southey to John Wilson Croker, 16 Sept. 1818: 'For your next number I shall have the Churches and Catacombs,—and the Copy right case. Next to them a Life of Marlborough concocted from Coxe.' 

The following evidence is published here for the first time. The article appears in Southey's definitive MS. list of his QR articles. 

JM III's Register: attribution to Southey, but without evidence.

535 Article 2. Michael Howe, the last and worst of the Bush Rangers of Van Diemen's Land. Narrative of the Chief Atrocities committed by this Great Murderer and his Associates, during a Period of Six Years, in Van Diemen's Land. From authentic sources of information, 73-83. Author: Barron Field.

Running Title: Van Diemen's Land—The Bush Ranger.

Notes: In attributing the article to Barron Field, Shine cites only JM III's Register.

Some of the following evidence was first published in VPR 28; information supplied by Mr. Ronald Solomon is published here for the first time. Between the publication of Number 41 and Number 42, Barron Field sent a manuscript article for inclusion [Murray MS., Field to JM, 24 Aug. 1819]. Mr. Ronald Solomon in a private correspondence with the present writer argues in favour of Field's authorship of articles #535 and 559. In doing so, Solomon re-interprets letters quoted in VPR 28 and draws attention to passages in #535 that support an attribution to Field. Murray MS., Barron Field to JM, 1 Feb. 1821, Field states that his 'little article on Van Diemen's land is very much appreciated.' Field's reference to a 'little article may be to #535, which is 10 pages long or to #559, which is 17 pages long. (The latter article is about New South Wales.) More persuasively still, as Solomon points out, in its first sentence the author of #535 speaks of Van Diemen's Land as a 'state only fifteen years old.' That comment therefore dates the manuscript of this article to 1818, the time of publication of the pamphlet under review; the comment also dates the probable composition of this article to 1818 or 1819, coincident with Field's letter to JM cited above. Furthermore, at page 78 of the article the author states 'the Judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales has lately made a circuit to the island.' Barron Field is the Judge referred to; Barrow was not likely to have had this information. Most uncharacteristic of Barrow, in #535 there is not a single reference to previous articles in the QR, let alone to articles by Barrow. In his QR articles, it was Barrow's signature practice to refer to his own works. See also the evidence at #559.

JM III's Register: attribution to Field, but without evidence.

536 Article 3. Forbin, Voyage dans le Levant en 1817 et 1818, 83-96.  Author: John Barrow.

Running Title: Forbin—Voyage dans le Levant.

Notes: In attributing the article to Barrow, Shine cites only JM III's Register. 

The following evidence is published here for the first time. Gentleman's Magazine (Mar. 1844), 246-47. Murray MS., John Barrow to JM, 1 July 1820, says he will review Forbin's work. The article's author refers to #476 and #486 (specific reference), both of which are by Barrow. In his QR articles, it was Barrow's signature practice to refer to his own works. 

JM III's Register: attribution to Barrow, but without evidence.

537 Article 4. Report from the Select Committee on the Highways of the Kingdom, together with the Minutes of Evidence taken before them; M'Adam, A Practical Essay on the scientific Repair and Preservation of Public Roads,—presented to the Board of Agriculture; M'Adam, Remarks on the present System of Road Making, with Observations deduced from Practice and Experience, &c.; Edgeworth, An Essay on the Construction of Roads and Carriages; Paterson, A Practical Treatise on the making and upholding of Public Roads, with a few Remarks on forming Approaches to Gentlemen's Houses; and a Dissertation on the Utility of Broad Wheels and other Improvements, 96-111. Author: Edward Berens.

Running Title: Roads and Highways.

Notes: In attributing the article to Berens, Shine cites only JM III's Register. 

The following evidence and information is published here for the first time. Murray MS., Edward Berens to JM, 26 Sept. 1820, refers to the article as his. 

The subject of this article was reviewed in ER #897, Oct. 1819, by Henry Parnell.

JM III's Register: attribution to Berens, and with the following note: 'See E. B.'s letter March 1825.'

538 Article 5. De Bosset, Proceedings in Parga, and the Ionian Islands, with a Series of Correspondence and other justifactory Documents; Duval, Exposé des Faits qui ont précedé et suivi la Cession de Parga; Ouvrage écrit originairement en Grec par un Parganiote, et traduit en Français par un de ses Compatriotes, 111-36. Author: John Barrow, probably.

Running Title: Parga.

Notes: In attributing the article to Barrow, Shine cites only JM III's Register. 

The following evidence is published here for the first time. Murray MS., John Barrow to JM, 29 May 1820, says when the article is printed (he does not state which one) return 'Dr. Holland's two volumes.' Barrow probably meant from the printer, who may have been using the volumes to copy a quotation; conversely, it is possible that Holland's volumes had been lent to Murray either from Barrow or another party for use by the reviewer. (See pp. 114n and 128, references to Dr. Holland.) The reviewer has access to official correspondence (p.117). The author makes a specific reference to #82, an article by Barrow; the subject of #267 and #547, both of which are also by Barrow, is alluded to on p.128 and p.125, respectively; the author refers to Edinburgh Review writers as 'Northern Seers' (cf. 'Northern Philosophers' in #493, p.13, which is also by Barrow). In his QR articles, it was Barrow's signature practice to refer to his own works. Murray MS., WG to Robert William Hay, 28 Dec. 1819, says he cannot get John Wilson Croker to work on Parga (perhaps as sub-editor); Croker sometimes sub-edited Barrow's articles.

The subject of this article was reviewed in ER #886, Oct. 1819, by Ugo Foscolo. (Note the odd coincidence of the attribution of QR #538 to Foscolo in JM II's marked QR.)

JM II's marked QR: [in pencil, and partly erased] 'Foscolo'.

JM III's Register: attribution to Barrow, but without evidence. [Note that JM III's Register does not reference JM II's marked QR.]

539 Article 6. Coray, Έλληνιχη Βιβλιοθήχη With Observations relating to the modern Greek Language, 136-54. Author: Robert Walpole, and possibly with Charles James Blomfield.

Running Title: Decline and Corruption of the Greek Tongue.

Notes: In querying its attribution to Charles James Blomfield, Shine cites only JM III's Register. In suggesting Walpole as a queried alternative attribution, Shine cites only JM III's Register. 

The following evidence was first published in VPR 27. Murray MS., Robert Walpole to JM, 29 May 1820, refers to his article in this Number on the decline of the Greek language. Why JM III should have queried this definitive evidence is not clear. It is possible that JM III discovered evidence of Blomfield's involvement, in which case Blomfield should be credited as sub-editor.

JM III's Register: 'By Blomfield' and note: '? Robt Walpole. See his letter, May 1820'.

540 Article 7. Vie Privée de Voltaire et de Madame du Châtelet, pendant un Séjour de Six Mois à Cirey, par l'Auteur des Lettres Péruviennes—Suivie de cinquante Lettres inédites en vers et en prose de Voltaire, 155-66. Author: John Wilson Croker.

Running Title: Private Life of Voltaire and Madame du Châtelet.

Notes: In attributing the article to Croker, Shine cites JM III's Register and Brightfield 455. [Quarterly Review Archive editor's note: Brightfield and JM III rely on the same source, a single list compiled by Croker himself.]

The following evidence is published here for the first time. Claimed by Croker in six of his Clements Library MS. lists and included in the Cambridge University bound volumes of Croker's articles. 

JM III's Register: attribution to Croker, but without evidence.

541 Article 8. Poems, descriptive of Rural Life and Scenery. By John Clare, a Northamptonshire Peasant. Second Edition, 166-74. Author: Octavius Graham Gilchrist, with William Gifford.

Running Title: Clare's Poems. 

Notes: In attributing the article to Gilchrist, Shine cites JM III's Register; Graham 41; and Clarke 273n. In suggesting Robert Southey as an alternative attribution, Shine cites Gentleman's Magazine XXI 578.

The following evidence is published here for the first time. Murray MS., WG to Octavius Gilchrist, [22 May 1820; 24 May 1820 postmark]: 'Clare came in pudding time. I have shortened it.' BL MS. 2245 (ff.84-85), Octavius Gilchrist to John Clare, 10 Apr. 1820: 'What's to be done Measter? Here's a letter from William Gifford, saying I promised him an article on one John Clare for the Quarterly Review. Did I do any such thing? Moreover, he says he has promised Lord Radstock, and if I know him, as he thinks I do, I know that the Lord will persecute him to the end. This does not move me much. But & he adds, "do not fail me, deal Gil: for I count on you:—tell your simple tale, and it may do the young Gord good." Think you so; then it must be set about. ... I have had my critical cap on these two days, and the cat-o-nine-tails in my hands, and soundly I'll flog you for your sundry sins, John Clare, John Clare!' See also BL MS. 2245 (ff.92, 93, 134, 135), letters from Gilchrist to Clare in which he keeps him abreast of his progress on the article and comments on it post publication. 

JM III's Register: attribution to Gilchrist, but without evidence.

542 Article 9. Rubichon, De l'Angleterre Vols. I and II, 174-98. Author: Richard Chenevix, probably.

Running Title: Rubichon—De l'Angleterre

Notes: In attributing the article to Chenevix, Shine cites only JM III's Register.

The following evidence is published here for the first time. The article is alluded to at #87WI (p.47), which is attributed to Chenevix. Note spelling of Lewis XIV, characteristic of Chenevix. 

JM III's Register: attribution to Chenevix, but without evidence. 

543 Article 10. Milman, The Fall of Jerusalem, a Dramatic Poem, 198-225. Author: Reginald Heber.

Running Title: Milman's Fall of Jerusalem.

Notes: In attributing the article to Heber, Shine cites JM III's Register; Grierson VI 170-71, 171n, 177; Gentleman's Magazine XXI 578; and Graham 41. Shine says to see also Heber I 420, II 5 and Grierson VI 177. 

The following evidence is published here for the first time. NLS MS. 934 (ff.188-89), WG to John Gibson Lockhart, 6 Apr. 1810: asks for a review of Milman's Jerusalem. NLS MS. 142 (f.14), Walter Scott to John Gibson Lockhart, 11 Apr. [1820]: says that WG has set Reginald Heber onto Milman. NLS MS. 142 (f.15), WG to Walter Scott, 18 Apr. [1820]: regrets that Mr Lockhart's first review (of Milman) has been blocked by one by Reginald Heber. John Murray published the volume under review.

JM III's Register: attribution to Heber, but without evidence.

544 Article 11. Mollien, Voyage dans l'Intérieur de l'Afrique aux Sources du Sénégal et de la Gambie, fait en 1818 par ordre du Gouvernement Français, 225-44. Author: John Barrow.

Running Title: The Course of the Niger.

Notes:  In attributing the article to Barrow, Shine cites JM III's Register and Gentleman's Magazine XXI 578. 

The following evidence is published here for the first time. Gentleman's Magazine (Mar. 1844), 246-47. Barrow's preoccupation with the course of the Niger and its possible connection with the Nile is continued in this article. The article's author refers to #531 and is itself referred to in #636, both of which are by Barrow. In his QR articles, it was Barrow's signature practice to refer to his own works.

JM III's Register: attribution to Barrow, but without evidence.

545 Article 12. D'Israeli, Curiosities of Literature Vol. III; Almanach des Gourmands. Tom. I.-IV., 245-79. Author: Thomas Mitchell.

Running Title: Manners of the Athenians.

Notes: In attributing the article to Mitchell, Shine cites JM III's Register; the DNB article on Mitchell; and Graham 41.

The following evidence is published here for the first time. Murray MS., Thomas Mitchell to JM, n.d.: 'I shall pursue D'Israeli as soon as I can who is however too much of a "Hellus," to please me altogether.' Murray MS., Mitchell to JM, 29 May 1820, says the QR just arrived and he has detected a misprint on p.277: for 'more virgins, more speed' read 'more vigour, more speed'! 

JM III's Register: attribution to Mitchell, but without evidence.