having in my pocket a
little money of my own earning. I took heart, however, and decided to
try elsewhere. I wrote one or two poor little articles in obscure
places, and at last took (as already stated) to the "Christian
Observer." 'I took great pains,' he says, 'with my articles, framing my
style upon conveyancing and special pleading, so that it might be solid,
well-connected, and logical, and enable me to get back to the Paradise
of 3_l._ 10_s._ an article, from which, as I strongly suspected, my
flippancy had excluded me.' 'Flippancy' was clearly not in his line.
Besides the 'Christian Observer,' I find that the 'Law Magazine' took a
few articles from him, but there is no trace of other writings until
1855. In that year was published the first number of 'Cambridge Essays,'
which, in alliance with a series of 'Oxford Essays,' lived for a couple
of years and contained some very good work. Maine became first known to
the public by an article upon Roman Law contributed in 1856, and a study
of Coleridge's philosophy by Professor Hort, another apostle, is one of
the best extant discussions of a difficult subject. Fitzjames, in 1855,
wrote a characteristic article upon 'The Relation of Novels to Life,'
and in 1857 one upon 'Characteristics of English Criminal Law.' The
articles roused some interest and helped to encourage him.

Meanwhile the 'Morning Chronicle' had changed hands, and its previous
supporters set up the 'Saturday Review,' of which the first number
appeared on November 3, 1855. John Douglas Cook, who took command of
the new adventure and brought some followers from the 'Morning
Chronicle,' was a remarkable man in his way. He was one of the
innumerable young Scots who go out to seek their fortune abroad. He had
received some appointment in India, quarrelled with his employers, and
came home on foot, or partly on foot, for his narratives of this period
were generally, it was thought, marked rather by imaginative fervour
than by a servile adherence to historic accuracy. He found work on the
'Times,' supported Mr. Walter in an election, was taken up by the Duke
of Newcastle, and was sent by him to inquire into the revenues of the
Duchy of Cornwall. He then appeared as an editor, and, if he failed in
the 'Morning Chronicle,' made ample amends by his guidance of the
'Saturday Review.' He was a man of no particular education, and
apparently never read a book. His language and manners were such as
recalled memories