self, by a
compilation of Newgate lives and trials.'

'Newgate lives and trials!'

'Yes, sir,' said the publisher, 'Newgate lives and trials; and now, sir,
I will briefly state to you the services which I expect you to perform,
and the terms which I am willing to grant. I expect you, sir, to compile
six volumes of Newgate lives and trials, each volume to contain by no
manner of means less than one thousand pages; the remuneration which you
will receive when the work is completed will be fifty pounds, which is
likewise intended to cover any expenses you may incur in procuring books,
papers, and manuscripts necessary for the compilation. Such will be one
of your employments, sir,--such the terms. In the second place, you will
be expected to make yourself useful in the Review--generally useful,
sir--doing whatever is required of you; for it is not customary, at least
with me, to permit writers, especially young writers, to choose their
subjects. In these two departments, sir, namely compilation and
reviewing, I had yesterday, after due consideration, determined upon
employing you. I had intended to employ you no farther, sir--at least
for the present; but, sir, this morning I received a letter from my
valued friend in the country, in which he speaks in terms of strong
admiration (I don't overstate) of your German acquirements. Sir, he says
that it would be a thousand pities if your knowledge of the German
language should be lost to the world, or even permitted to sleep, and he
entreats me to think of some plan by which it may be turned to account.
Sir, I am at all times willing, if possible, to oblige my worthy friend,
and likewise to encourage merit and talent; I have, therefore, determined
to employ you in German.'

'Sir,' said I, rubbing my hands, 'you are very kind, and so is our mutual
friend; I shall be happy to make myself useful in German; and if you
think a good translation from Goethe--his _Sorrows_ for example, or more
particularly his _Faust_--'

'Sir,' said the publisher, 'Goethe is a drug; his _Sorrows_ are a drug,
so is his _Faustus_, more especially the last, since that fool--rendered
him into English. No, sir, I do not want you to translate Goethe or
anything belonging to him; nor do I want you to translate anything from
the German; what I want you to do, is to translate into German. I am
willing to encourage merit, sir; and, as my good friend in his last
letter has spoken very highly of your G