Mr.Heber, too, would apply to his brother at your request, and his friend Coplestone, who will also be written to by a friend of Gifford's...." Scott was very desirous of enlisting George Canning among the contributors to the Quarterly.

He wrote to his friend Ellis: _Mr.Scott to Mr.G.Ellis_.
"As our start is of such immense consequence, don't you think Mr.
Canning, though unquestionably our Atlas, might for a day find a Hercules on whom to devolve the burden of the globe, while he writes for us a review?
I know what an audacious request this is, but suppose he should, as great statesmen sometimes do, take a political fit of the gout, and absent himself from a large ministerial dinner which might give it him in good earnest--dine at three on a chicken and pint of wine, and lay the foundation of at least one good article?
Let us but once get afloat, and our labour is not worth talking about; but, till then, all hands must work hard." This suggestion was communicated by George Ellis to Gifford, the chosen editor, and on December 1, Murray informed Scott that the article on Spain was proceeding under Mr.Canning's immediate superintendence.
Canning and Gifford went down to Mr.Ellis's house at Sunninghill, where the three remained together for four days, during which time the article was hatched and completed.
On receiving the celebrated "Declaration of Westminster" on the Spanish War, Scott wrote to Ellis: "Tell Mr.Canning that the old women of Scotland will defend the country with their distaffs, rather than that troops enough be not sent to make good so noble a pledge.

Were the thousands that have mouldered away in petty conquests or Lilliputian expeditions united to those we have now in that country, what a band would Sir John Moore have under him!...
Jeffrey has offered terms of pacification, engaging that no party politics should again appear in his _Review_.

I told him I thought it was now too late, and reminded him that I had often pointed out to him the consequences of letting his work become a party tool.

He said 'he did not fear for the consequences--there were but four men he feared as opponents.' 'Who are these ?' 'Yourself for one.' 'Certainly you pay me a great compliment; depend upon it I will endeavour to deserve it.' 'Why, you would not join against me ?' 'Yes, I would, if I saw a proper opportunity: not against you personally, but against your politics.' 'You are privileged to be violent.' 'I don't ask any privilege for undue violence.