His last contribution was, I think, a paper written for and published in the November number, called, "_Strange to say on Club Paper_," in which he vindicated Lord Clyde from the accusation of having taken the club stationery home with him.

It was not a great subject, for no one could or did believe that the Field-Marshal had been guilty of any meanness; but the handling of it has made it interesting, and his indignation has made it beautiful.
The magazine was a great success, but justice compels me to say that Thackeray was not a good editor.

As he would have been an indifferent civil servant, an indifferent member of Parliament, so was he perfunctory as an editor.

It has sometimes been thought well to select a popular literary man as an editor; first, because his name will attract, and then with an idea that he who can write well himself will be a competent judge of the writings of others.

The first may sell a magazine, but will hardly make it good; and the second will not avail much, unless the editor so situated be patient enough to read what is sent to him.