and scarce-visited
districts the knowledge of a great man and a great work; there is no
prosy nonsense about encouraging the genius of our own country, and
showing with pride to her prouder sister, that we are not unworthy to
contend in the race with her. Nothing of this.--They resolve
themselves, by an open and candid admission, into a committee of
printsellers, and they cry with one voice--"No free trade in 'The
Blind Girl'--no sliding scale--no fixed duty--nothing save absolute,
actual prohibition!" It is with pride I confess myself of this party:
perish art! down with painting! to the ground with every effort of
native genius! but keep up the price of our engraving, which, with the
rapid development of Mr. Burton's talent, may yet reach ten, nay,
twenty guineas for an impression. But in the midst of my enthusiasm, a
still small voice of fear is whispering ever:--Mayhap this gifted man
may live to eclipse the triumphs of his youthful genius: it may be,
that, as he advances in life, his talents, matured by study and
cultivation, may ascend to still higher flights, and this, his early
work, be merely the beacon-light that attracted men in the outset of
his career, and only be esteemed as the first throes of his intellect.
What is to be done in this case? It is true we have suppressed "The
Blind Girl;" we have smashed _that_ plate; but how shall we prevent
him from prosecuting those studies that already are leading him to the
first rank of his profession? Disgust at our treatment may do much;
but yet, his mission may suggest higher thoughts than are assailable
by us and our measures. I fear, now, that but one course is open; and
it is with sorrow I confess, that, however indisposed to the shedding
of blood, however unsuited by my nature and habits to murderous deeds,
I see nothing for us but--to smash Mr. Burton.

By accepting this suggestion, not only will the engravings, but the
picture itself, attain an increased value. If dead men are not
novelists, neither are they painters; and Mr. Burton, it is expected,
will prove no exception to the rule. Get rid of him, then, at once,
and by all means. Let this resolution be brought forward at the next
general meeting, by any leader of the Destructive party, and I pledge
myself to second and defend it, by every argument, used with such
force and eloquence for the destruction of the copper-plate. I am sure
the talented gentleman himself will, when he is put in possession of
ou