leave any doubt of their authorship, have established for him a high and enduring reputation. The conduct of this periodical is so universally understood to be in the hands of the Professor, that we may consider ourselves justified in describing him as its editor. He has long upheld its supremacy: the best supported magazines of England have failed in competing with it; because there is no living writer whose talents are so versatile, and consequently so fitted to deal with the varied topics upon which his judgment or his fancy must be employed. His learning is both profound and excursive; his criticism searching and sound; his descriptions of scenery exquisitely true; his paintings of human character and passion admirable; his wit and humour delightful, when it does not degenerate into "fun;" and no writer of modern times has written so many deliciously eloquent passages which produce, if we may so express ourselves, gushes of admiration. The mind of Wilson is a remarkable blending of the kindly and the bitter:-his praise is always full and hearty; his censure almost unendurable: he appears to have no control over his likings or dislikings: -at times, pursues with almost superhuman wrath, and then, again, becomes so generous and eloquent, that he absolutely makes an author's character, and establishes his position by a few sentences of approval. From all his criticisms there may be gathered some evidence of a sound heart; of a nature like the Highland breezes—keen, but healthy; often most invigorating when most severe-but which may be safely encountered only by those whose stamina is unquestionable. The personal appearance of Professor Wilson is very remarkable: his frame is, like his mind, powerful and robust. His complexion is florid, and his features are finely marked; the mouth is exquisitely chiselled, the expression of his countenance is gentle to a degree; but there is "a lurking devil" in his keen gray eye, that gives a very intelligible hint to the observer. His forehead is broad and high. To us, among all the great men we have ever beheld-and they have not been few-there is not one who so thoroughly extorts a mingled sensation of love and fear. |