We say it is
supererogatory to dwell upon "Norman Leslie," or other by-gone
follies, when we have before our eyes hourly instances of the
machinations in question. To so great an extent of methodical
assurance has the system of puffery arrived, that publishers, of late,
have made no scruple of keeping on hand an assortment of
commendatory notices, prepared by their men of all work, and of
sending these notices around to the multitudinous papers within
their influence, done up within the fly leaves of the book. The
grossness of these base attempts, however, has not escaped indignant
rebuke from the more honourable portion of the press; and we hail
these symptoms of restiveness under the yoke of unprincipled ignorance
and quackery (strong only in combination) as the harbinger of a better
era for the interests of real merit, and of the national literature as
a whole.
It has become, indeed, the plain duty of each individual connected
with our periodicals heartily to give whatever influence he
possesses to the good cause of integrity and the truth. The results
thus attainable will be found worthy his closest attention and best
efforts. We shall thus frown down all conspiracies to foist inanity
upon the public consideration at the obvious expense of every man of
talent who is not a member of a clique in power.
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