Western Worthies | Page 9

the present,
advances us in the dignity of human beings." So must the quondam
editor of the Literary Journal think when he recalls the reminiscences
of those bygone days--days that were spent in edifying and agreeable
association with men and women whose names are inscribed on the roll
of Scotland's illustrious sons and daughters. He may also take a
justifiable pride in the fact that, by virtue of his position as editor, he
was at once the arbiter and the censor of works which have since, by
universal acclamation, been awarded a permanent place in the literature
of England. That Bell's conduct of the Journal was able, popular, and
successful, we have ample evidence to show. It is proved by the variety
and excellence of the contributions which poured in upon him from the
most gifted writers of the day. In his Noctes Ambrosianæ, Professor
Wilson has published his attestation of the fact in the following

passage:--
NORTH--Here, James, is one of the best, because most business-like
prospectuses I ever read, of a new weekly periodical about to be
published in Edinburgh in the middle of November--the Edinburgh
Literary Journal. From what I know of the editor--a gentleman of talent,
spirit, and perseverance--I foretell the book will prosper.
SHEPHERD--I shall be glad o' that, for ane gets tired of that eternal
soun'--Blackwood's Magazeen--Blackwood's Magazeen--dinnin in ane's
lugs, day and night, a' life long.
Our readers will bear with what may appear to some to some to be
unnecessary digressions, when they reflect upon the influence that the
Literary Journal exercised upon the subject of our sketch while he was
yet a young man "winning his spurs" in the field of literature. It was
through his editorship of the Literary Journal that Mr. Bell formed his
close intimacy with all the distinguished writers of his day; and if this
was not the most useful, it certainly was the most interesting part of the
career of him whom we are proud to acknowledge as the author of
"Mary, Queen of Scots." From this time forward he was the most
intimate friend and companion of Wilson and Hogg. The former came
to Edinburgh in 1815, with the view of practising at the Scottish bar, so
that Bell had no opportunities of visiting him at his beautiful residence
at Elleray, on the banks of Lake Windermere, where for years
previously he had lived in Utopian health and happiness, "surrounded
by the finest of scenery, and varying his poem-writing and halcyon
peace, with walking excursions and jovial visits from friends that, like
himself, entered with zest into the hearty enjoyment of life." But, as
between Bell and Wilson, there was a fellow-feeling that made them
"wondrous kind," they were much in each other's society. Both were
fond of piscatorial pursuits. Wilson had early discovered an enthusiasm
for angling, which he used to cultivate on the banks of Lake
Windermere. Bell, too, became a disciple of Isaac Walton, and to
indulge their love of sport, and to enjoy each other's company where,
removed from the busy haunts of men, they might "hear the tumult and
be still," they were accustomed to spend whole days and nights on the

banks of Loch Awe, and amid the gloomy and impressive scenery of
Glen Dochart. At other times they would plan walking excursions. It
was no unusual thing for them to walk upwards of thirty miles at a
stretch. They had not then the command of railway facilities, nor did
they want them. Muscular vigour, and a love of intellectual pursuits
were qualities characteristic of both men, and both possessed a large
amount of physical endurance. In physique, too, there was a
considerable vraisemblance. Christopher North has been described as a
"Goth of great personal prowess." Haydon says of him that he was like
a fine Sandwich Islander, who had been educated in the Highlands. His
light hair, deep sea blue eye, tall athletic figure, and hearty hand grasp,
his eagerness in debate, his violent passions, great genius, and irregular
habits, rendered him a formidable partisan, a furious enemy, and an
ardent friend. Of Bell, with one or two qualifications, the same
description would hold good. Wilson has immortalised their intimacy
and friendship in his "Noctes," where Bell is made to figure as
"Tallboys," and where he is only mentioned with respect and affection.
In the Six Foot Club, an institution which had a local habitation and a
name in Edinburgh during the early part of the nineteenth century, and
of which both Wilson and Bell were members, they had further
opportunities for muscular exercise. It was an indispensable condition
to membership in this club that the candidate should be over six feet in
height; and it is surprising how many men who have made their mark
in literature, science, and