"When a thing is done it is of no use giving advice, not even when it can be as frankly

But have you offer of thirty

rejected as mine can be by you. quite determined to reject his guineas per sheet? Have you placed it, or resolved to place it, out of your power to enter into such an arrangement, if you should feel disposed to do so, by-and-bye? On my word, I would pause before I did so, and if I did, then most decidedly I would open a communication with Bentley, and try to get that magazine. For to any man, I don't care who he is, the Editorship of a monthly magazine, on tolerable terms, is a matter of too much moment, in its pecuniary importance and certainty, to be flung away as of little worth. It would be to me, I assure you.

"I send you letters for Jeffrey and Napier. If the former should not be in Edinburgh, you will find him at his country place, Craigcrook, within three or four miles of that city. Should you see Wilson, give him a hundred hearty greetings from me; and should you see the Blackwoods, don't believe a word they say to you. Moir (their Delta) is a very fine fellow, and you will like him very much. In all probability he will come to see you, should he know

of your being in Edinburgh. A pleasant journey, and a pleasant return: Mrs. Dickens unites with me in best regards to Mrs. Hood, and I am always, my dear Hood.

“Faithfully yours,

"CHARLES DICKENS.

"P. S. The light of Mr. Colburn's countenance has not shone upon me in these parts. May I remain in outer darkness!"

Notwithstanding the advice of Dickens perhaps it was too late-Hood's rupture with Mr. Colburn was complete before the year ended, and January 1844, saw the first issue of his own venture, bearing the title of "Hood's Magazine." He had suffered so much from publishers that he determined to issue the magazine himself, and an office for that purpose was secured at No. 1, Adam Street, Adelphi. Here he worked early and late at his editorial labours, and here he occasionally slept when the pressure of work was high. The magazine was a pronounced success from its first issue, and, had life and health been in store for Hood, there can be no question but it would have proved a valuable property. But the sixth issue of the monthly contained those

pathetic "Editor's Apologies" which have been already referred to, and although he rallied somewhat from the attack by which they were occasioned, henceforth there was little hope for