your wing, and hopping from spray to spray.
But I trust you intend a bolder flight. Observe, I would by no means recommend
your persevering in this unprofitable pursuit - but you say you are quite
independent of the public caprice?«
    »Entirely so,« replied Lovel.
    »And that you are determined not to adopt a more active course of life?«
    »For the present, such is my resolution,« replied the young man.
    »Why, then, it only remains for me to give you my best advice and assistance
in the object of your pursuit. I have myself published two essays in the
Antiquarian Repository, - and therefore am an author of experience. There was my
Remarks on Hearne's edition of Robert of Gloucester, signed Scrutator; and the
other signed Indagator, upon a passage in Tacitus. I might add, what attracted
considerable notice at the time, and that is my paper in the Gentleman's
Magazine, upon the inscription of OElia Lelia, which I subscribed OEdipus. So
you see I am not an apprentice in the mysteries of author-craft, and must
necessarily understand the taste and temper of the times. And now, once more,
what do you intend to commence with?«
    »I have no instant thoughts of publishing.«
    »Ah! that will never do; you must have the fear of the public before your
eyes in all your undertakings. Let us see now: A collection of fugitive pieces;
but no - your fugitive poetry is apt to become stationary with the bookseller.
It should be something at once solid and attractive - none of your romances or
anomalous novelties - I would have you take high ground at once. Let me see:
What think you of a real epic? - the grand old-fashioned historical poem which
moved through twelve or twenty-four books. We'll have it so - I'll supply you
with a subject - The battle between the Caledonians and Romans - The Caledoniad;
or, Invasion Repelled; - let that be the title - it will suit the present taste,
and you may throw in a touch of the times.«
    »But the invasion of Agricola was not repelled.«
    »No; but you are a poet - free of the corporation, and as little bound down
to truth or probability as Virgil himself - You may defeat the Romans in spite
of Tacitus.«
    »And pitch Agricola's camp at the Kaim of - what do you call it,« answered
Lovel, »in defiance of Edie Ochiltree?«
    »No more of